Outwitting the devil Part 1 of 3

Question 1

MARK VICTOR HANSEN

Answer 1

Like Hill, you are here to master your fears and not let them master you, to live passionately and with purpose, to decide what you want to be, do, and have, and to make it so.

Question 2

Hill’s assignment

Answer 2

You should carefully analyze many thousands of people who have been classed as ‘failures,’ and I mean by the term ‘failures,’ men and women who come to the closing chapter of life disappointed
because they did not attain the goal which they had
set their hearts upon achieving. As inconsistent as it may seem, you will learn more about how to succeed from the failures than you will from the so-called successes. They will teach you what not to do.

Question 3

Failure

Answer 3

“My experience has taught me that a man is never quite so near success as when that which he calls ‘failure’ has overtaken him, for it is on occasions of this sort that he is forced to think. If he thinks accurately, and with persistence, he discovers that so-called failure usually is nothing more than a signal to re-arm himself with a new plan or purpose. Most real failures are due to limitations which men set up in their own minds.If they had the courage to go one step further, they would discover their error.”

Question 4

Happiness

Answer 4

“Again I became “fidgety “inside. I was not happy.

It became more obvious every day that no amount of money would ever make me happy.”

Question 5

Indecision

Answer 5

I thought of a dozen plans by which I might solve my
problem, but dismissed them all as being either impractical or impossible of achievement. I felt like one who was lost in a jungle without a compass. Every attempt I made to work my way out brought me back to the original starting point.

For nearly two months I suffered with the worst of all human ailments: indecision. I knew the seventeen principles of personal achievement, but what I did not know was how to apply them! Without knowing it I was facing one of those emergencies of life through which, Mr. Carnegie had told me, men sometimes discover their “other selves.”

Question 6

Other Self

Answer 6

“This is your testing time. You have been reduced to poverty and humiliated in order that you might be forced to discover your ‘other self.’”

It was becoming apparent that my “other self” was determined to wean me away from the inferiority complex which I had developed.

“One of these entities is motivated by and responds to the impulse of fear. The other is motivated by and responds to the impulse of faith. For more than a year you have been driven, like a slave, by the fear entity.

For the sake of convenience you may call this faith entity your ‘other self.’ It knows no limitations, has no fears, and recognizes no such word as ‘impossible.’

Make no reference whatsoever to this introduction you have had to your ‘other self’ If you violate these instructions, you will meet with temporary defeat.

I am not sure that I understand just what this “other self” is, but I do know that there can be no permanent defeat for the man or the woman who discovers it and relies upon it.

Question 7

Self-made Prision

Answer 7

Subconsciously I seemed to know that I was about to be released from the self-made prison into which I had cast myself.

Question 8

Discouraging the return to power of the fear entity

Answer 8

“You were directed to select this environment ofluxury, in a good hotel, as a means of discouraging the return to power of the fear entity. That fear-motivated ‘old self’ is not dead; it has merely been dethroned. And it will follow you around wherever you go, awaiting a favorable opportunity to step in and take charge of you again. It can gain control of you only through your thoughts. Remember this, and keep the doors
to your mind tightly closed against all thoughts which seek to limit you in any manner whatsoever, and you will be safe.

Question 9

Worry about the money

Answer 9

“Do not permit yourself to worry about the money you will need for your immediate expenses. That will come to you by the time you must have it.

Question 10

Other Self - II

Answer 10

The “other self” follows no precedents, recognizes no limitations,and always finds a way to accomplish desired ends! It may meet with temporary defeat, but not with permanent failure.

I seriously doubt that any man can avail himself of the benefits of his “other self” as long as he is steeped in greed and avarice, envy and fear,

My “other self” has taught me to concentrate upon my purpose and to forget about the plan by which it is to be attained when I go to prayer. I am not suggesting that material objects may be acquired without plans. What I am saying is that the power which translates one’s thoughts or desires into
realities has its source in an Infinite Intelligence which knows more about plans than the one doing the praying.

Question 11

Power to change your financial status

Answer 11

I am not a prophet, but I can, with all due modesty, predict that every individual has the power to change his or her material or financial status by first changing the nature of his or her beliefs.

Question 12

Your heart

Answer 12

“Be careful what you set your heart upon, for it

surely shall be yours.”

Question 13

Faith - Six Sense

Answer 13

The state of mind known as faith apparently opens to one the medium of a sixth sense through which one may communicate with sources of power and information far surpassing any available through the five physical senses. There comes to your aid, and to do your bidding, with the development of the sixth sense, a strange power which, let us assume, is a guardian angel who can open to you at all times the door to the Temple of Wisdom.

Question 14

Your Personal Success Equation

Answer 14

((P + T) x A x A) + F

Combining your Passion with your Talent and then seeking the right Association and taking the right Action are very important components for Success . . . but it is when you combine all those components with a strong Faith in yourself and your mission that you truly have Your Personal Success Equation.

Question 15

Lone wolf

Answer 15

Despite the fact I had understood the power of the Master Mind, I had neglected to appropriate and use this power. I had been laboring as a “lone wolf” instead of allying myself with other and superior minds.

Question 16

Unused space of the brain

Answer 16

Q How do you gain control of the minds of people?

A Oh, that is easy: I merely move in and occupy the unused space of the human brain. I sow the seeds of negative thought in the minds of people so I can occupy and control the space!

Question 17

The six most effective fears

Answer 17

Poverty, Criticism, Ill, Health, Loss of love, Old age & death.

Question 18

Gaining control of human minds

Answer 18

My greatest weapon is poverty. I deliberately discourage people from accumulating material wealth because poverty discourages men from
thinking and makes them easy prey for me. My next best friend is ill health. An unhealthy body discourages thinking.

Question 19

The Cigarette habit

Answer 19

Habits come in pairs, triplets, and quadruplets. Any habit which weakens one’s will power invites a flock of its relatives to move in and take possession of the mind. The cigarette habit not only lowers the power of resistance and discourages persistence, but it invites looseness in other human relationships.

Question 20

The habit of drifting

Answer 20

My greatest weapon over human beings consists of two secret principles by which I gain control of their minds. I will speak first of the principle of habit, through which I silently enter the minds of people. By operating through this principle, I establish (I wish I could avoid using this word) the habit of drifting. When a person begins to drift on any subject, he is headed straight toward the gates of what you earthbound call hell.

Question 21

The word “drift”

Answer 21

I can best define the word “drift” by saying that people who think for themselves never drift, while those who do little or no thinking for themselves are drifters. A drifter is one who permits himself to be influenced and controlled by circumstances outside of his own mind. He would rather let me occupy his mind and do his thinking than go to the trouble of thinking for himself A drifter is one who accepts whatever life throws in his way without making a protest or putting up a fight. He
doesn’t know what he wants from life and spends all of his time getting just that. A drifter has lots of opinions, but they are not his own. Most of them are supplied by me.

Question 22

Other Self III

Answer 22

“Along toward the end of your labor, if you carry it
through successfully, you will make a discovery which may be a great surprise to you. You will discover that the cause of success is not something separate and apart from the man; that it is a force so intangible in nature that the majority of men never recognize it; a force which might be properly called the ‘other self’ Noteworthy is the fact that this ‘other self’ seldom
exerts its influence or makes itself known excepting at times of unusual emergency, when men are forced, through adversity and temporary defeat, to change their habits and to think their way out of difficulty.

“My experience has taught me that a man is never quite so near success as when that which he calls ‘failure’ has overtaken him, for it is on occasions of this sort that he is forced to think. If he thinks accurately, and with persistence, he discovers that so-called failure usually is nothing more than a signal to re-arm himself with a new plan or purpose. Most real failures are due to limitations which men set up in their own minds.
If they had the courage to go one step further, they would discover their error.”

Question 23

Failure & Difficulties

Answer 23

Out of my difficulties, which were burdensome enough
up to this point, grew another which seemed more painful than all the others combined. It was the realization that I had spent the better portion of my past years in chasing a rainbow, searching hither and yon for the causes of success, and finding myself now more helpless than any of the 25,000 people whom I had judged as being “failures.”

Question 24

What can be done by the other self?

Answer 24

“Above everything else, get this fact clearly fixed in your mind, that your ‘other self’ will not do your work for you; it will only guide you intelligently in achieving for yourself the objects of your desires.

“Your ‘other self’ will remain in charge and continue to
direct you as long as you rely upon it. Keep doubt and fear and worry, and all thoughts oflimitation, entirely out of your mind.

I am not sure that I understand just what this “other self” is, but I do know that there can be no permanent defeat for the man or the woman who discovers it and relies upon it.

Question 25

My "Other Self" Makes Good

Answer 25

My first royalty check from the sale of my books was for $850. As I opened the envelope in which it carne, my "other self" said, "Your only limitation is the one which you set up in your own mind!"

Question 26

"Failure": A Blessing in Disguise

Answer 26

I have made another discovery as the result of this introduction to my "other self," namely, that there is a solution for every legitimate problem, no matter how difficult the problem may seem.

Question 27

A new Way to Pray

Answer 27

Infinite Intelligence seems not at all offended when I give thanks and show that I am grateful for the blessings which have crowned my efforts. I was astounded, when I first tried this plan of offering a prayer of thanks for what I already possessed, to discover what a vast fortune I had owned without being appreciative of it. It may be helpful for every reader of this book to take inventory of his or her intangible assets. Such an inventory may disclose possessions of priceless value.

Question 28

Q Go ahead and describe your clever tricks, Your Majesty.

Answer 28

A One of my cleverest devices for mind control is fear. I plant the seed of fear in the minds of people, and as these seeds germinate and grow, through use, I control the space they occupy. The six most effective fears are the fear of poverty, criticism, ill health, loss oflove, old age, and death.

Question 29

Bad habits come in pairs

Answer 29

One day I shall add to their habit of cigarette smoking other thought-destroying habits, until I shall have gained control of their minds. Habits come in pairs, triplets, and quadruplets. Any habit which weakens one's will power invites a flock of its relatives to move in and take possession of the mind. The cigarette habit not only lowers the power of resistance and discourages persistence, but it invites looseness in other human relationships .

Question 30

Q Describe all the ways in which you induce people to drift. Define the word and tell us exactly what you mean by it.

Answer 30

A I can best define the word "drift" by saying that people who think for themselves never drift, while those who do little or no thinking for themselves are drifters. A drifter is one who permits himself to be influenced and controlled by circumstances outside of his own mind. He would rather let me occupy his mind and do his thinking than go to the trouble of thinking for himself A drifter is one who accepts whatever life throws in his way without making a protest or putting up a fight. He doesn't know what he wants from life and spends all of his time getting just that. A drifter has lots of opinions, but they are not his own. Most of them are supplied by me. A drifter is one who is too lazy mentally to use his own brain. That is the reason I can take control of people's thinking and plant my own ideas in their minds.

Question 31

Q Tell me of the most common habits by which you control the minds of people.

Answer 31

A That is one of my cleverest tricks: I enter the minds of people through thoughts which they believe to be their own. Those most useful to me are fear, superstition, avarice, greed, lust, revenge, anger, vanity, and plain laziness. Through one or more of these I can enter any mind, at any age, but I get my best results when I take charge of a mind while it is young, before its owner has learned how to close any of these nine doors. Then I can set up habits which keep the doors ajar forever.

Question 32

Q I understand that it is easy for you to frighten children with threats of hell, but how do you continue to make them fear you and your hell after they grow up and learn to think for themselves?

Answer 32

A Children grow up, but they do not always learn to think for themselves! Once I capture the mind of a child, through fear, I weaken that child's ability to reason and to think for himself, and that weakness goes with the child all through life.

Question 33

Q In what other ways do you use parents to convert children into drifters?

Answer 33

A I cause children to become drifters by following the example of their parents, most of whom I have already taken over and bound eternally to my cause. In some parts of the world I gain mastery over children's minds and subdue their will power in exactly the same way that men break and subdue animals oflower intelligence. It makes no difference to me how a child's will is subdued, as long as it fears something. I will enter its mind through that fear and limit the child's power to think independently.

Question 34

Drifting your occupation

Answer 34

I teach people to become drifters by causing them to drift out of school into the first job they can find, with no definite aim or purpose except to make a living. Through this trick I keep millions of people in fear of poverty all their lives. Through this fear I lead them slowly but surely onward until they reach the point beyond which no individual ever has broken the drifting habit.

Question 35

Drifting and procrastination

Answer 35

Q I conclude from what you say that drifting and procrastination are the same. Is that true? A Yes, that is correct. Any habit which causes one to procrastinate- to put off reaching a definite decision-leads to the habit of drifting.

Question 36

Laziness + Indifference = Procrastination = Drifting

Answer 36

Says the Devil: "I cause people to allow me to do their thinking for them because they are too lazy and too indifferent to think for themselves. "

Question 37

Q What you say leads me to the conclusion that drifting is a weakness which inevitably ends in failure, whether among individuals or nations. Is that your claim?

Answer 37

A Drifting is the most common cause of failure in every walk of life. I can control anyone whom I can induce to form the habit of drifting on any subject. The reason for this is twofold. First, the drifter is just so much putty in my hands, to be molded into whatever pattern I choose, because drifting destroys the power of individual initiative. Second, the drifter cannot get help from my opposition, because the opposition is not attracted to anything so soft and useless.

Question 38

1 Timothy 6:10

Answer 38

The actual verse of the Bible talks about the "love of money," not money itself: CCFor the love of money ;s the root of aillcinds of evil. "

Question 39

Description of a typical drifter - Part I

Answer 39

He will be conspicuous by his lack of self-confidence. He will never accomplish anything requiring thought and effort. He spends all he earns and more too, ifhe can get credit. He will be sick or ailing from some real or imaginary cause, and calling to high heaven ifhe suffers the least physical pain. He will have little or no imagination. He will lack enthusiasm and initiative to begin anything he is not forced to undertake, and he will plainly express his weakness by taking the line ofleast resistance whenever he can do so. He will be ill-tempered and lacking in control over his emotions. His personality will be without magnetism and it will not attract other people. He will have opinions on everything but accurate knowledge of nothing. He may be jack of all trades but good at none. He will neglect to cooperate with those around him, even those on whom he must depend for food and shelter.

Question 40

Description of a typical drifter - Part II

Answer 40

He will make the same mistake over and over again, never profiting by failure. He will be narrow-minded and intolerant on all subjects, ready to crucify those who may disagree with him. He will expect everything of others but be willing to give little or nothing in return. He may begin many things but he will complete nothing. He will be loud in his condemnation of his government, but he will never tell you definitely how it can be improved. He will never reach decisions on anything ifhe can avoid it, and ifhe is forced to decide he will reverse himself at the first opportunity. He will eat too much and exercise too little. He will take a drink ofliquor if someone else will pay for it. He will gamble ifhe can do it "on the cuff" He will criticize others who are succeeding in their chosen calling. In brief, the drifter will work harder to get out of thinking than most others work in earning a good living. He will tell a lie rather than admit his ignorance on any subject. If he works for others, he will criticize them to their backs and flatter them to their faces.

Question 41

Description of a non-drifter - Part I

Answer 41

The first sign of a non-drifter is this: He is always engaged in doing something definite, through some well-organized plan which is definite. He has a major goal in life toward which he is always working, and many minor goals, all of which lead toward his central scheme. The tone of his voice, the quickness of his step, the sparkle in his eyes, the quickness of his decisions clearly mark him as a person who knows exacdy what he wants and is determined to get it, no matter how long it may take or what price he must pay. If you ask him questions, he gives you direct answers and never falls back on evasions or resorts to subterfuge.

Question 42

Description of a non-drifter - Part II

Answer 42

He extends many favors to others, but accepts favors sparingly or not at all. He will be found up front whether he is playing a game or fighting a war. If he does not know the answers he will say so frankly. He has a good memory; never offers an alibi for his shortcomings. He never blames others for his mistakes no matter if they deserve the blame. He used to be known as a go-getter, but in modem times he is called a go-giver. You will find him running the biggest business in town, living on the best street, driving the best automobile, and making his presence felt wherever he happens to be. He is an inspiration to all who come into contact with his mind. The major distinguishing feature of the non-drifter is this: He has a mind of his own and uses it for all purposes.

Question 43

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Answer 43

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