Abounding Grace An Anthology Of Wisdom (Hardcover)

~ (Editor) "Unquestionably, it is human nature to desire happiness, at any time and at any place..." (more)
Key Phrases: component virtues, Holy Spirit, Higher Power, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Reading Abounding Grace is like taking a master's level class on "Spiritual Wisdom Through the Ages" taught by the old soul of M. Scott Peck. In editing this anthology Peck assembled what he considered to be the most well written, inspirational, and enlightening quotes that speak to the top 12 virtues--happiness, courage, compassion, purity, perseverance, courtesy, faith, goodness, love, respect, strength, and wisdom. He then wrote an introductory essay on each virtue before presenting his lengthy selections of quotes.

When introducing the virtue of "Happiness," Peck asserts his controversial belief that, "The lie is that we are here on earth to be comfortable, happy and fulfilled.... The truth is that our finest moments are more likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers--or even for God."

He follows this elegant essay with a series of profound, tender, and even playful quotes about happiness, such as "There is nothing more beautiful than cheerfulness in an old man's face." (Jean Paul Richter) "The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift, not a right." (Anonymous) As a bonus, Abounding Grace also makes a lasting reference book, one of the best sources of spiritually minded quotes available. --Gail Hudson

From Library Journal

Like Peck's previous work, this series will appeal to spiritual seekers and teachers of all ages, backgrounds, and faiths. The author recorded this audiobook at his home, and, as a result, the reading has a homier feel than those narrations performed in a studio. Peck expresses his beliefs on the nature of happiness, courage, compassion, purity, perseverance, courtesy, faith, goodness, love, respect, strength, and wisdom. Using quotations from various cultures and eras, he illustrates and elaborates on his views on humanity's great questions. Recommended for spirituality collections in public libraries. Pam Kingsbury, Alabama Humanities Fdn., Florence
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; 2nd printing edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740710141
• ISBN-13: 978-0740710148
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #426,414 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, February 8, 2001

By A Customer

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.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bountiful Gift for Wisdom Seekers!, November 3, 2000

By	Quaker Annie "reader" - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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)!

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book on ethics by Scott Peck, February 12, 2003

By	Darren Burton "virtualbloodhound" (Ogden, Utah United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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:

CHARITY

Posthumous charities are the very essence of selfishness when bequeathed by those who, when alive, would part with nothing.
- Charles Caleb Colton

Charity, to be fruitful, must cost us.
- Mother Teresa

COMPASSION

One cannot weep for the entire world. It is beyond human strength. One must choose. - Jean Anouilh

Being 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 Teresa

GRATITUDE

A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues. - Cicero

Into the well which supplies thee with water, cast no stones. - Talmud

No duty is more urgent than returning thanks. - Saint Ambrose

Wise men appreciate all men, for they see the good in each, and know how hard it is to make anything good. - Baltasar Gracian

HAPPINESS

When 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 Keller

Happiness is itself a kind of gratitude. - Joseph Wood Krutch

I find my joy of living in the fierce and ruthless battles of life, and my pleasure comes from learning something. - August Strindberg

If only we'd stop trying to be happy, we could have a pretty good time.
- Edith Wharton

COURAGE

Often the test of courage is not to die but to live. - Vittorio Alfieri

What is to give light must endure burning - Victor Frankl

Sometimes even to live is an act of courage - Seneca

Courage is like love; it must have hope for nourishment. - Napoleon I

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Muriel Strode

It often takes more courage to change one's opinion than to stick to it.
- George Christopher Litenburg

Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?
- Frank Scully