Stuff You Missed in History Class Self-help Books Throughout History
Explore the roots of self-help writing, dating back to ancient wisdom from Egypt and Confucius. Discover Benjamin Franklin's systematic approach to virtue and Samuel Smiles' advocacy for self-reliance in the 19th century. Dive into celebrity self-help from Douglas Fairbanks and Dale Carnegie's powerful yet misused interpersonal advice. Contemplate the controversial methods of Norman Vincent Peale and the evolving landscape of modern self-help, with a caution against quick-fix solutions.
41:42
Ancient Guides Prioritized Virtue Over Success
- Ancient wisdom texts functioned as practical guides for ethical living rather than shortcuts to success.
- They focused on virtue, social duty, and being a better member of society, not personal achievement.
Ptahhotep's Fatherly Maxims
- The Instruction of Ptahhotep frames advice as a father teaching his son, covering arguing, treating servants, and keeping a wife content.
- Its counsel promotes humility, kindness, and respect across social ranks.
Confucius As A Social Self-Improvement Teacher
- Confucian texts teach that virtue is learned and practiced to control base instincts and benefit society.
- The Analects function as early self-help by prescribing study and virtuous practice.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Why study self-help's history now
02:14 • 3min
Ancient Egyptian wisdom literature
05:36 • 4min
Confucius and Stoic guidance
09:12 • 3min
Ad break
12:23 • 3min
Benjamin Franklin's system for virtue
15:32 • 7min
Samuel Smiles and the term 'self-help'
22:35 • 5min
Smiles' emphasis on self-reliance
27:46 • 3min
Ad break
30:37 • 3min
Early celebrity self-help: Douglas Fairbanks
33:33 • 2min
Dale Carnegie's practical interpersonal advice
35:25 • 4min
Carnegie's influence and misuse
39:20 • 1min
Norman Vincent Peale's controversial method
40:35 • 5min
Self-help's specialization and evidence matters
45:10 • 4min
Outro
49:10 • 2min
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Laugh and Live
Douglas Fairbanks
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the quick and easy way to effective speaking
Dale Carnegie
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• Mentioned in 2 episodes
How to Develop Self-Confidence and Influence People by Public Speaking
Dale Carnegie
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• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Self-help; with illustrations of character and conduct
Samuel Smiles
Published in 1859, 'Self-Help' by Samuel Smiles is a landmark in the self-help genre, advocating for personal initiative and character development.
The book uses biographical examples to illustrate how individuals can achieve success through determination and self-improvement.
It combines Victorian morality with free market principles, highlighting the importance of education, thrift, and sound character.
#17
• Mentioned in 361 episodes
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Dale Carnegie
First published in 1936, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide to improving interpersonal skills.
The book is divided into four main sections: Six Ways to Make People Like You, Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and Nine Ways to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment.
Carnegie's principles emphasize the importance of genuine interest in others, active listening, and avoiding criticism and argument.
The book offers practical advice on how to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and influence others by aligning their self-interest with yours.
It has been a cornerstone of personal development and business success for generations.
#591
• Mentioned in 47 episodes
On the Shortness of Life
Seneca
In this essay, Seneca addresses the common complaint that life is too short by arguing that life is sufficiently long if one uses it wisely.
He contends that people waste much of their time in luxury, carelessness, and pointless activities.
Seneca emphasizes the importance of living in the present, pursuing philosophical wisdom, and avoiding the distractions that make life seem short.
He advises readers to organize each day as if it were their last and to avoid procrastination and the preoccupation with future or past concerns.
#2998
• Mentioned in 13 episodes
A Physical Education
How I Escaped Diet Culture and Gained the Power of Lifting
Casey Johnston
Casey Johnston's memoir traces her journey from calorie restriction and obsessive cardio to discovering strength through weightlifting.
The book critiques diet culture's damaging doctrines while detailing how physical empowerment led to self-acceptance and a redefined relationship with her body.
Johnston combines personal narrative with insights into how societal expectations shape women's health behaviors.
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• Mentioned in 38 episodes
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living
Dale Carnegie
In 'How to Stop Worrying and Start Living', Dale Carnegie provides a set of practical formulas and techniques to help readers overcome their worry habits.
The book, first published in 1948, has been updated and remains highly relevant today.
It offers advice on how to eliminate business and financial worries, avoid fatigue, improve sleep, and cultivate a mental attitude that brings peace and happiness.
Carnegie's approach includes rules such as living in 'day-tight compartments', accepting the worst-case scenario, and keeping busy to crowd out worry.
The book is filled with inspiring examples and stories of people who have successfully applied these principles to achieve a more enjoyable and fulfilling life.
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• Mentioned in 27 episodes
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a classic and influential work that covers various periods of Franklin's life.
It is divided into four parts, written at different times, and includes his childhood, apprenticeship to his brother James, his early methodical plans for 'arriving at moral perfection,' his experiments with electricity, and his political career.
The autobiography provides an intimate and honest account of Franklin's life, reflecting his determination, work ethic, and practical wisdom.
Despite its tortuous publication history, it remains one of the most famous autobiographies ever written.
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• Mentioned in 66 episodes
The Power of Positive Thinking
Norman Vincent Peale
Published in 1952, 'The Power of Positive Thinking' is a classic self-help book that emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mindset to overcome life's challenges.
Dr. Peale provides practical techniques such as affirmations, visualization, and faith to help readers build self-confidence, achieve their goals, and improve their personal and professional relationships.
The book is rooted in Christian ethos and uses biblical teachings to guide readers towards a more fulfilling and joyful life.
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How to enjoy your life and your job
Dale Carnegie
In 'How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job', Dale Carnegie offers practical advice on how to make every day more exciting and rewarding.
The book teaches readers how to avoid unnecessary tension, turn routine tasks into stimulating opportunities, and develop their innate strengths.
It emphasizes the importance of integrating business, social, and personal fulfillment to achieve greater satisfaction in both home and work life.
#5351
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
The Analects
Confucius
The Analects is a collection of sayings and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius and his contemporaries.
It offers insights into Confucian ethics, politics, and social life.
The text emphasizes the importance of moral cultivation, ritual propriety, and the cultivation of virtues like ren (benevolence) and yi (righteousness).
It's a foundational text for understanding Confucian thought and its influence on Chinese culture and beyond.
The Analects' aphoristic style and focus on practical wisdom have made it a significant work in both Eastern and Western philosophical traditions.
The origins of self-help writing are often traced back to ancient times. This episode talks through some early versions of it, the goal-setting advice of a founding father, and the beginnings of the modern self-help genre.
Research:
- Brady, Diane. “Charles Manson’s Turning Point: Dale Carnegie Classes.” Bloomberg Businessweek. July 22, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130925204803/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-22/charles-mansons-turning-point-dale-carnegie-classes
- Britannica Editors. "Lunyu". Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Jan. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lunyu
- Britannica Editors. "Norman Vincent Peale". Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 May. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Norman-Vincent-Peale
- Carnegie, Dale. “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” London. Vermillion. Digital: https://dn720004.ca.archive.org/0/items/english-collections-1/How%20To%20Win%20Friends%20And%20Influence%20People%20-%20Carnegie%2C%20Dale.pdf
- Fairbanks, Douglas. “Laugh and Live.” New York. Britton Publishing Company. 1917. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12887/pg12887.txt
- Fontaine, Carole R. “A Modern Look at Ancient Wisdom: The Instruction of Ptahhotep Revisited.” The Biblical Archaeologist, vol. 44, no. 3, 1981, pp. 155–60. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3209606
- Franklin, Benjamin. “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.” HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY. 1916. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/20203/20203-h/20203-h.htm#X
- Battiscombe G. “THE INSTRUCTION OF PTAH-HOTEP AND THE INSTRUCTION OF
KE'GEMNI: THE OLDEST BOOKS IN THE WORLD.” London. John Murray. 1906. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/30508/30508-h/30508-h.htm - Lilienfeld, Scott O. and Hal Arkowitz. “Can positive thinking be negative?” Scientific American. May 1, 2011. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-positive-thinking-be-negative/
- Ray, J. D. “Egyptian Wisdom Literature.” Wisdom in Ancient Israel. Ed. John Day, Robert P. Gordon, and Hugh Godfrey Maturin Williamson. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995. 17–29.
- Stableford, Brian. “Samuel Smiles.” Ebsco. 2023. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/samuel-smiles
- Seneca, Lucius Annaius, and Garth D. Williams (tr.). “On the Shortness of Life.” https://ia601705.us.archive.org/25/items/SenecaOnTheShortnessOfLife/Seneca%20on%20the%20Shortness%20of%20Life.pdf
- Tabor, Nick. "Dale Carnegie". Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Nov. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dale-Carnegie
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