Full Answer
The supposedly true story is about an African farmer named Ali Hafed who heard stories of fortune by other farmers. These farmers discovered diamonds on their land and became rich beyond their wildest imagination. Ali Hafed became discontented with his own life and desperately desired the same fortune.
Russell ConwellAcres of Diamonds / AuthorRussell Herman Conwell was an American Baptist minister, orator, philanthropist, author, lawyer, and writer. He is best remembered as the founder and first president of Temple University in Philadelphia, as the Pastor of The Baptist Temple, and for his inspirational lecture, "Acres of Diamonds". Wikipedia
Conwell delivered his lecture “Acres of Diamonds” no fewer than 6,000 times. The theme of the lecture was that opportunity lurks in everyone's backyard. Everyone, Conwell believed, can and ought to get rich and then use that money for the good of others.
Russell Conwell, in full Russell Herman Conwell, (born February 15, 1843, South Worthington, Massachusetts, U.S.—died December 6, 1925, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), American lawyer, author, clergyman, and educator whose lecture “Acres of Diamonds,” which expressed his formula for success, brought him fame and wealth on ...
108Product DetailsISBN-13:9780368946097Publisher:Blurb, Inc.Publication date:05/15/2022Pages:108Product dimensions:6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.22(d)
Why did Conwell think it was one's duty to be rich? "To make money honestly is to preach the gospel" (30). The men who get rich are the most honest men you find in the community.
Al Hafed heard all about diamonds and how much they were worth, and went to his bed that night a poor man—not that he had lost anything, but poor because he was discontented and discontented because he thought he was poor. He said: "I want a mine of diamonds!".
He was a contented and wealthy man—contented because he was wealthy, and wealthy because he was contented. One day there visited this old farmer one of those ancient Buddhist priests, and he sat down by Al Hafed's fire and told that old farmer how this world of ours was made.
Although the story “Acres of Diamonds” is now world famous, it is only a part of the original lecture Conwell delivered. Here is the full-text of Acres of Diamonds, an Unabridged Edition to include the Original Illustrations, with an Appreciation by John Wanamaker, and an Introduction by the author.
Russell H. Conwell was an American minister, speaker, lawyer, and author. He was the founder and first president of Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His famous lecture, Acres of Diamonds, was first delivered on the Chautauqua circuit before its publication in 1890. By his death in 1925, he had delivered it more than 6,000 times.
ACRES OF DIAMONDS HIS LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS I. THE STORY OF THE SWORD II. THE BEGINNING AT OLD LEXINGTON III. STORY OF THE FIFTY-SEVEN CENTS IV. HIS POWER AS ORATOR AND PREACHER V. GIFT FOR INSPIRING OTHERS VI. MILLIONS OF HEARERS VII. HOW A UNIVERSITY WAS FOUNDED VIII. HIS SPLENDID EFFICIENCY IX.