The Paradoxical Commandments: Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World [Hardcover]

Kent M. Keith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 25, 2001

Dr. Keith has elaborated on the principles in his credo and written what promises to be a modern classic for right action in an insane world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'[The Paradoxical Commandments] is simple, eloquent and profound. It will touch you in surprising ways. Most important, it will help you to live a life that is rich in personal meaning.' - Spencer Johnson, M.D., author of Who Moved My Cheese? 'The Paradoxical Commandments' are a set of common sense ideas on how to be successful through service to others. Their author, Kent Keith, has tested them and proven that they do work. They are as clear a guide as I've seen on how to be a good person by doing the right thing.' - Wally Amos, author of The Power In You --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

After Harvard, Kent Keith was a Rhodes scholar at Oxford and Tokyo. He has a law degree and a doctorate in education. He served in the cabinet of the governor of Hawaii; was a high-tech park developer; was the first Protestant president of a Catholic university; and is now vice president of Development and Communications for the YMCA of Honolulu. He lives with his wife and three children in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 115 pages
• Publisher: Inner Ocean Publishing; 1 edition (October 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930722052
• ISBN-13: 978-1930722057
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,811,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for students of ethics and spirituality, November 9, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Paradoxical Commandments: Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World (Hardcover)

Ever since the 1960s, Kent Keith has doggedly insisted that despite the insanity that seems to consume the world, people can still act honorably and change things for the better. He calls his manifesto the "Paradoxical Commandments," and the very first commandment states: People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway! Commandment number two asserts: If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway! Now Keith's Paradoxical Commandments are presented with more detailed explanations, insights into the foibles of human nature, and the uplifting conviction that doing good for its own sake is the right, best, and happiest way to live. The Paradoxical Commandments: Finding Personal Meaning In A Crazy World is aptly divided into three parts: It's a Crazy World; The Paradoxical Commandments; and Living the Paradoxical Life. Each part offers a little more insight into the world we live in, and how to make it a better place. Every few pages features a short proverb of kindly wisdom, such as "Who you are and how you live are more important than who remembers what you did." Highly recommended for students of ethics and spirituality, as well as the non-specialist general reader in search of self-improvement and personal insight.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy the Book!, October 25, 2001

By 

Max Zad (Albuquerque New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Paradoxical Commandments: Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World (Hardcover)

This fabulous book is packed with wonderful wisdom. The author shares a series of interesting life stories that are enjoyable and convey a deep truth about the human experience. His writing leaves you renewed and inspired, providing a new perspective about the events and people that shape our lives. The main elements are the ten Paradoxical Commandments themselves. They combine to form a positive message about life and the human spirit. This enriching message frees you to be yourself, and give the world the best you have. The Commandments are so powerful that for years they have circled the entire globe, continually passed from person to person. Now, the original author takes you on his path of discovery. I urge you to read this book; it will refresh your soul.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paradoxical Commandments, September 22, 2001

By 

Mona L. Radice (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Paradoxical Commandments: Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World (Hardcover)

What a joy to read this book. The writing is simple and clear, the stories and anecdotes are relevant. My reaction to each ranged from touching (Seventh Commandment) to anger (Fifth Commandment) to the realization that "Hey, wait, I already do some of these." OK, maybe not all the time, but I have a good headstart and I can do better, starting with my family and friends, then community, and even the world!

I read this book Monday evening, September 10th. On Tuesday, the entire world needed to read this book.