Abounding Grace: An Anthology of Wisdom

Scott peck has put together this anthology of quotes on the virtues of happiness, courage, compassion, purity, perseverance, courtesy, faith, goodness, love, respect, strength, and wisdom. If you have a natural philosophical bent you will find most of the quotes in this 384 page book to be quite profound. If you have no interest in a collection of quotes then don't buy this book. If you do read on and see what you think of this sampling of quotes found in the book:CHARITYPosthumous charities are the very essence of selfishness when bequeathed by those who, when alive, would part with nothing. - Charles Caleb ColtonCharity, to be fruitful, must cost us.- Mother TeresaCOMPASSIONOne cannot weep for the entire world. It is beyond human strength. One must choose. - Jean AnouilhBeing unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat... We must find each other.- Mother TeresaGRATITUDEA thankful heart is the parent of all virtues. - CiceroInto the well which supplies thee with water, cast no stones. - TalmudNo duty is more urgent than returning thanks. - Saint AmbroseWise men appreciate all men, for they see the good in each, and know how hard it is to make anything good. - Baltasar GracianHAPPINESSWhen one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us. - Helen KellerHappiness is itself a kind of gratitude. - Joseph Wood KrutchI find my joy of living in the fierce and ruthless battles of life, and my pleasure comes from learning something. - August StrindbergIf only we'd stop trying to be happy, we could have a pretty good time.- Edith WhartonCOURAGEOften the test of courage is not to die but to live. - Vittorio AlfieriWhat is to give light must endure burning - Victor FranklSometimes even to live is an act of courage - SenecaCourage is like love; it must have hope for nourishment. - Napoleon IDo not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Muriel StrodeIt often takes more courage to change one's opinion than to stick to it.- George Christopher LitenburgWhy not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?- Frank Scully

This book is wonderful. Dr. Peck's commentary on each section gets one to see these aspects in a fresh way. The quotes are highly thought-provoking and stimulating-each one a gem of insight.

This is a powerful book. I loved it. I would also recommend An Encounter With A Prophet and Conversations with God. All three books helped me.

More than just the usual topical selection of quotes, Dr. Peck has carefully selected quotes with his life philosophy in mind. Truly an inspiring and uplifting collection.

The truth must be told. We don't own this book ... yet. Instead, we browsed through it at a very large, library like bookstore. The look and feel of the book made it difficult to put back on the shelf. Indeed, we found that this thick book was a feast of words, containing hundreds and hundreds of quotes - 1,600 or so -- on topics having to do with virtue: happiness, courage, compassion, purity, perseverance, courtesy, faith, goodness, love, respect, strength, and wisdom. But it proved to be much more than just the usual collection of great quotes, or words of wisdom to look at once in a while, or copy onto websites and into newsletters. "Virtue" when served up by M. Scott Peck goes beyond conventional, dogmatic wisdom that sees goodness as something to be applied externally, and medicinally. Peck thoughtfully reflects on what virtue is, what it means to individuals, how it emerges in each of us, from deep within. Before each section of quotes from a variety of people from different cultures, times, and beliefs, he offers his own reflections and experiences (on light purple paper, so you can easily see where each section begins) about the topic. We love this book because it gives us all those favorite quotes, and some delicious food for thought. For the M. Scott Peck fan (The Road Less Traveled), this book will be a welcome gift (its on MY list to give and get)!