Reading Notes

The best excerpts from The Greatest Saleman in the World by OG MANDINO

Hafid was silent and the old man continued, “ First, you must prove to me, and more important to yourself, that you can endure the life of a saleman for it is not an easy lot you have chosen. Truly, many times have you heard me say that the rewards are great if one succeeds but the rewards are great only because so few succeed. Many succumb to despire and fail without realizing that they already possess all the tools needed to acquire great wealth.

P.S.

Just One More Step

Many have instituted great plans, yet many have quitted the grand ideals.

Many have started out with passion, yet many have ended in tears.

How many dreams and corpses cover the road to success?

And how much spirit and sweat float down in the wind?

And, finally, who reach the destination at the rear of a mountain?

One step, two steps, three steps… and one more step. Anytime, anywhere, victory is just behind the next step.

Producer: SobomA

Date:    June 5, 2008

Reading Notes

The best excerpts from The Greatest Saleman in the World by OG MANDINO

Without Wealth, You Might Be a "Slave"

Hafid said, “ My ambition is to become even greater then you, the greatest merchant, the wealthiest salseman in all the world!”

Pathros shook his head. “ Wealth, my son, should never be your goal in life. Your words are eloquent but they are mere words. True wealth is of the heart, not of the purse. My son, do not aspire for wealth and labor not only to be rich. Strive instead for happiness, to be loved and to love, and most important, to acquire peace of mind and serenity. ”

Hafid continued to persist, “ But these things are impossible without gold. Who can live in poverty with peace of mind? How can one be happy with an empty stomach? How can one demonstrate love for one’s family if he is unable to feed and clothe and house them? You, yourself, have said that wealth is good when it brings joy to others. Why then is my ambition to be wealthy not a good one? Poverty may be a previlege and even a way of life for the monk in the desert, for he has only himself to sustain and none but his god to please. But I consider poverty to be the mark of a lack of ability or a lack of ambition. I’m not deficient in either of these qualities.”

P.S.

Did you ever play a part of Hafid who was full of passion of dreams but was told by one of seniors that do not aspire for wealth, but the peace of mind, that true wealth is of the heart, not of the purse? Here I want to use one of words by Pathros to tell himself that his words are also eloquent but they are mere words, too.

Who, except animals, can have the peace of mind without funds? If people were just going after peace of mind, would society develop? In truth, society’s development needs funds. That is to say, no wealth, no development. So, in order to abtain peace of mind, be bold to chase after wealth so long as we walk in the right legal direction. That’s not the only way, but so important.

You are not a slave of wealth, but, without wealth, you might be a "slave". You know we live not in the dream, but in the real word, the dog eat dog word.

Producer: SobomA

Date:    June 4, 2008

Reading Notes

The best excerpts from The Greatest Saleman in the World by OG MANDINO

Who Do You Live for?

Hafid nodded. “ I have always counted your friendship as my greatest asset. What I now bestow on you is of little mesure compared to your unending loyalty. You have mastered the art of living not for youself alone, but for others, and this concern has stamped you above all, as a man among men. Now I urge you to hasten with comsummation of my plans. Time is the most precious commodity I possess and the hour glass of my life is nearly filled.”

Erasmus turned to hide his tears, His voice broke as he asked, “ And what of your promise, yet to keep?

P.S.

Who do you live for? For you, it may have been a question since you were born. You may live just for yourself, your parents, your family, but do you ever think of living for others?

If you do, why?

It seems to me that I’m not sure if I could gain both fame and wealth as I live for others, at least, I purify my soul when I give a hand to others.

Producer: SobomA

Date:       June 3, 2008