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.

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.

How wonderful to find such a compelling book of hope, of comfort, of action -- a clear voice of reason in a confusing and sometimes frightening world. It presents simple principles that are powerful enough to not only affect the way you view life experiences, but change your life if you apply them. The only person over whom each of us can hope to have any control is our own self. This book helps us see the possibilities of taking that control, no matter what else happens around us. And as Lois Wyse expressed, "[I]f one soul awakens, is not the whole world strengthened?" Read the book, then try to live the principles. You'll be happily surprised by the result.

Thank you, Kent, for sharing these eloquent Paradoxical Commandments with us.

This one is a classic. It has a perfect attention span for a 5-9 near old. This comes from series. All of these books they put out are awesome! I wish they were back in print and publish some new ones. They just don't make books like this anymore.

I had this book when I was little and I used to beg my mom to read it to me over and over. I loved it. It got me interested in science and research. It is at least partially due to this book that I entered college as a biology major. Highly recommended- I wish it was still in print.

My brothers and I grew up with the Value Books series, and this was one of our favorites.My mother still has the full set, but now my brothers and I are starting our own families and would love to each have a set. If you can get ahold of copies, get them. The lessons they teach are invaluable - I would reccomend them to any parent and for any child.

I purchased this book after reading "The One Minute Manager." I was skeptical about how any significant parenting advice could be contained in such a small volume. Still, since the read would be easy and quick, I decided to try it. I was pleasantly surprised!

Johnson does an excellent job of applying the basic principles of One Minute management to the parent/child relationship. In his typical parable style, he describes the One Minute Reprimand, the One Minute Praising, and the One Minute Goal. His depiction of the results with the Father's children is sickeningly sweet and overly dramatic, but he makes his point.

For any father who has read "The One Minute Manager," I encourage him to read this book also. It will truly give new, valuable insights into being a better dad. Buy it and see for yourself!

Spencer Johnson always does a good job of breaking an idea down to some key components that can then be built upon to create a positive outcome. I was skeptical of "The One Minute Father" as most people seem to be about all of the One Minute Ideas. Don't let the title fool you. By using the common sense approach to discipling your children, you will eliminate the negative time to small points in time while giving you the opportunity to spend a great deal of time in a positive and rewarding relationship with your child(ren). This is a must read for any parent. The things that we often know but won't believe are possible are possible. I have started following the advice given in this book more regulary and I can already see one of my children turning the corner in how she sees herself and her actions and how the two are not necessarily the same.
Give this book as a gift to yourself and anyone else you know willing to learn how to be a better, happier and more successful parent.

This book and the concepts it shares with the One Minute (Manager) Series are the basis for the way I am raising my daughter. Manage behavior and unconditionally love the child. It works for parenting, management, and even marital relations. This book puts the principles of the One Minute Manager in the natural context of the parent child relationship. It is a gem of a book. I have given several copies to friends, employees, and in 1992 to my (then) future wife. Not only did I give her the book, I recorded it on cassette in my voice for her to study. She did. We have now (5/2000) been happily "Catching each other doing things right" for over 7 years as husband and wife. In the same way, we have harnessed the incredible power of One Minute style praising and reprimanding our daughter with fantastic results.

hola he leido este libro y realmente hace reflexionar y pensar. verdaderamente lo recomiendo. cg sc

I cherished "Who Moved by Cheese?" -- the cheesy story about change, business and life-in-general. Even more than Johnson's book, I love Hochberg's parody, "Who Stole My Cheese?"

Talk about appropriate for the time... From Florida's elections to Enron, WorldCom and Martha Stewart, Hochberg makes us laugh as well as provokes us to take a long, hard look at ourselves, our society and what is or is not flourishing. This book is noteworthy, and should be read by everyone!

It is a remarkable gift - both the book and its message.

Where are you moving next, Hochberg, as I need another good laugh?

This book is great for developing better management skills. It can be applied to any kind of management fields. I would definately recommend this book for anybody looking to enhance the skills they already have.

Short and sweet and a very, very easy read, this book is the kind of book that just makes you think "how nice". It is the kind of book that makes you feel good, the kind of book that, if your in a bit of a down mood or stuck in a rut, could be just what you need to re-energize your life.

If you are not an avid motivational or spiritual reader, only occasionaly reading material of this nature, this book is IDEAL. It has just enough content to make you think about your actions and your place in the scheme of things, without getting overly deep or philosophical. If everyone read this book and really thought about and made an effort to apply it's priciples, the world would be a really fabulous place.

I didn't rate the book 5 stars only because I prefer books with more content and insite and none of the ideas presented were new. It was just too simple for my taste... but hey... READ IT ANYWAY! It is definitely worth the very short investment of time it takes to do so!

A compelling book of hope, of comfort, of action -- a clear voice of reason in a confusing and sometimes frightening world. This book presents simple principles that are powerful enough to not only affect the way you view life experiences, but change your life if you apply them. The only person over whom you can hope to have any control is your own self. This book helps you see the possibilities of taking that control, no matter what else happens around you. Read the book, then apply the principles. You'll be happily surprised by the result.

Kent M. Keith, has done the world a great service in writing this new book. The Paradoxical Commandments is a compendium of valuable insight relating to life. Overall the book conveys why one should adopt a philosophy of doing what is right and good and true, knowing a paradox may occur, but doing it anyway. The principles and philosophy and morals discussed provide the reader with a 10 item outline of how to achieve inner happiness even when facing bad things. Call the Paradoxical Commandments 10 reasons why one should on a personal level always choose to bring forth the best in ourselves in spite of being met by the worst from the world. All 10 of the Paradoxical Commandments are good reasons to take the high moral road on life's great journey. The book is a quick read and a guide to a short road to personal happiness. My advice is to buy this book, read it, take it to heart and pass it on to a friend.