BookBabble #27: "Outwitting the Devil" by Napoleon Hill

"The Secret to Freedom and Success"

The BookBabble continues with a lesser known classic from the famous success author Napoleon Hill…

Now, Napoleon Hill will be familiar with many readers on personal development principles. His most famous and influential work of course was Think and Grow Rich.

That has sold millions of copies since it was released back in the 30s and is a cornerstone of a lot of what has been written since and the basis of any required reading on the subject.

This offering is far less well known, but equally as powerful and important (if not more so) and written soon after. I only became aware of it a few years ago, and have since read it a few times and it’s certainly a different angle on all this stuff.

Here, Hill starts off with a bit of a backstory which is fascinating in itself, as we find out the situation and state of mind he was in. He had written T&GR following the great depression but was sitting on the manuscript and things weren’t going well in his life. He doubted himself, had this mission but was being held back.

So that sets the scene and fills us in on what was going on behind the scenes at the time, and written to fill some of the gaps and questions that T&GR left.

The main crux of the book is an interview with the devil. What? Well, whether this is metaphorical or literal (in the author or your eyes), the interview takes place. We delve into what the devil’s intentions are and how he brings them about… and also how we can defeat his wiley ways.

Although it sounds a bit weird, there’s a negative force that exists in the world and within us, and this book is really a conversation between the light and dark.

Due to the controversial nature of the content, this book was held back from release for many years (decades). But since both Hill and his wife have passed on, it was indeed released in 2011 with the backing of the Hill Foundation and is edited and annotated by Sharon Lechter.

Best delve into the book and see what the devil we’re talking about…

Source

Some great quotes from the book followed by my additional thoughts…

other self

Hill talks a lot about the ‘other self’ in his works. A part of you you may meet in times of crisis or change, hidden perhaps, but brought to the fore in such times. Something drawn on.

Carl Jung talked about our shadow selves contained within, a reflection of our darkside, and what drives us with animal instinct. If we discipline it, we can direct it positively and productively but without knowing it and controlling it, there is the potential for it to run riot and cause harm.

I’m not sure if Hill is really talking about it in this sense in this context, more about meeting your true self and doing the business, but it does fit in with the nature of the book.

the urge to continue was stronger than the desire to quit

This was where Hill was uncertain about the future of his mission in life. But that inner urge to complete and distribute his message outweighed that nagging desire to stop.

I had begun to place myself in the category of charlatans who offer others a remedy for failure which they themselves cannot successfully apply

Imposter Syndrome! He had studied, recorded, condensed and written these principles ready for the masses to consume and apply. But he was effectively down and out at this point. Who was he to tell people how to live? Times of severe doubt and hesitancy which almost derailed him until he got back on track.

The Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn

A reminder that sometimes when things seem at their worst, that’s the moment it’s about to change for the better. There’s a circular nature to everything. After all, at rock bottom, the only way is up.

It may meet with temporary defeat, but not with permanent failure

True failure only exists once you give up. There may be many battles lost, but the war is up for grabs.

I have also discovered that there comes with every experience of temporary defeat, and every failure and every form of adversity, the seed of an equivalent benefit

This was a central tenet in Think & Grow Rich too. In every defeat there is a seed of an equivalent success. Whatever the issue is can be used to your advantage if overcome, reframed and used for something that you wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise.

there is something infinitely worse than being forced to work. It is being forced not to work

This was a realisation following the Great Depression, and is true for anyone unable to work but wants to. You think it’s a bit of a pain in the rear end to have to work, but not having that focus, purpose and regular income is a killer.

The six most effective fears are the fear of poverty, criticism, ill health, loss of love, old age, and death

Getting into the meat of it all. The underlying fears that drive people. There are many others but they ultimately lead back to these.

I could not control 98 percent of the people of the world if all people were skilled in thinking for themselves

This is from the devil. It’s suggested in the book that he controls 98% of the people and that only 2% are free from his clutches. Those in the second category are able to think for themselves and act accordingly, not rely on others to tell them what to do and get pushed around.

A drifter is one who permits himself to be influenced and controlled by circumstances outside of his own mind

One of the most important concepts in the book for me: Drifting. Just floating and flailing around in the river being taken here and there at the whims of life, but not having a set plan and executing.

Drifting applies to all aspects of life, from major life circumstances right down to the minutiae of the day to day decisions.

The mind is nothing more than the sum total of one’s habits

Well doesn’t this lead on well from the last BookBabble. Atomic Habits obviously has this as the central theme of the book and here we are again having it pointed out by Hill and his Satanic interviewee.

When they begin to think in constructive terms of faith, courage, hope, and definiteness of purpose, they immediately become allies of my opposition and are therefore lost to me

The ‘opposition’ is God. Or the light, or the positive part of the atom - any analogy you prefer. Having that definiteness of purpose along with the other attributes above means the ‘devil’ can’t control you.

The entire public school system is so administered that it helps my cause by teaching children almost everything except how to use their own minds and think independently

Classic. I myself have written an article or 2 on the education system. This has always been the case that people aren’t really taught what they need nor in the best way for the best outcomes. They’re made to memorise facts but not how to use their own minds.

Having independent thinkers isn’t good for any devils out there. Governments and other institutions who rely on control also lose their grip. It should be clear from this why a lot of things are as they are.

One of my most effective devices is failure! The majority of people begin to drift as soon as they meet with opposition, and not one out of ten thousand will keep on trying after failing two or three times

That’s the devil speaking and goes back to what we always say about so-called failure.

Without wanting to sound too cheesy, failure is merely learning experiences, ie. finding out what doesn’t work, tweaking, and trying again. You only truly fail when you stop completely and that’s what the devil (in the context of this book) induces. People give up quite quickly, but there’s no answer to those who keep on persistently.

When men’s bellies are filled, they drift freely with one who does the filling. Hungry men get out from under control

I think this can be hunger in a literal sense but also figuratively. Also alludes to the fact that he who pays the piper plays the tune. You have to have a ‘hunger’ and not be too settled. Comfort is nice (that’s the point) but can destroy any ambition.

Remember, your mind attracts that which your mind dwells upon

Where focus goes energy flows etc. It’s not about ignoring the negative but more predominantly dwelling on the positive which will bring more of likewise into your life. That way, you’ll be happier plus in a better position to help others.

hypnotic rhythm

Another central concept. This is where drifting becomes such a habit that you have now gone to a stage beyond, and are potentially beyond reprieve. Any thought or physical act repeated through habit finally reaches this stage of rhythm. A point of no return where you’re caught in the whirlwind.

Misery loves company

Yep, birds of a feather flock together. People love to get together and whinge. Best to avoid where possible but the opposite is also true so we need to find the right people and situations to excel.

The person who goes to prayer with definiteness of purpose and faith in the attainment of that purpose puts into motion the laws of nature which transmute one’s dominating desires into their physical equivalent. That is all there is to prayer

Prayer isn’t about randomly talking to ‘God’. It’s more a statement of intent that you’re handing over (possibly to yourself). Faith - in the general sense - is the other important aspect here; there is a whole chapter dedicated to this in T&GR. You need that deep belief.

I thrive on ignorance, superstition, intolerance, and fear, but I cannot stand up under definite knowledge properly organized into definite plans in the minds of people who think for themselves

From the mouth of the devil himself. I won’t add anything here as it speaks for itself and we can all apply it to a lot of what we see.

man has not yet fully awakened to the realization of this potential power. Man still regards himself as something resembling the worms in the dust, when in reality he has more power than all other living things combined

We need to wake up to our power and exercise it a bit more. Not in the crazy or uncoordinated sense but really tapping into who we are and making the impact we need.

Ignorance and fear are the only enemies from which men need salvation

The world is run on fear and ignorance to a degree. Just switch on the TV or pick up a newspaper for proof of that. Beware the emotions of fear and anger, they are being used to influence and control. Real education is important as well. Another factor is people running around thinking they know it all but are clueless. A dangerous scenario.

Self-discipline

Super important of course and the central feature of anyone doing anything. Self-discipline needs to be nurtured and applied. That combines with a clear purpose plus faith and persistence can only lead to positive outcomes and not drifting.

The three appetites are (1) the desire for food, (2) the desire for expression of sex, (3) the desire to express loosely organized opinions

Watch out for this 3 headed beast. Some of Hill’s thoughts and words may be old fashioned but still tend to ring true. These 3 are rife (whether obviously or bubbling under the surface) and need to be controlled.

Success usually is but one short step beyond the point where one quits fighting

It pays to just keep going a little bit more. There was a story in T&GR about someone digging for gold and giving up just 3 feet from it. They had no idea they were so close but walked away, and someone else did the rest and took the booty! They learned their lesson and went on to be a successful salesman and never made that mistake again. They were all the better for it, and probably ended up better off in the long run.

Goes to show the point from earlier - in each failure is a seed for an equivalent success. He nurtured and grew that seed into a better life.

Most people who escape from the negative to the positive operation of the law of hypnotic rhythm do so only because of some form of adversity which forces them to change their thought-habits

Once you’re past that point, only severe trauma or some serious event can jolt you back. Could be terrible in the moment, but the best thing to happen as it’s a major pattern interrupt and sets the stage for taking a new path.

The next principle is environmental influence

We talked about environment in the last article and here it is again. Here it’s discussed what’s around you, but more importantly, who. Your significant other, friends, family and colleagues are up the list in influences. Choose wisely.

The three important factors are the habit of drifting, the law of hypnotic rhythm through which all habits are made permanent, and the element of time

Time is the grim reaper. We talked about drifting and hypnotic rhythm earlier, but add the element of time and it exacerbates all things.

Hill’s seven principles for Outwitting the Devil in your life

• Definiteness of purpose
• Mastery over self
• Learning from adversity
• Controlling environmental influence (associations)
• Time (giving permanency to positive, rather than negative thought-habits and developing wisdom)
• Harmony (acting with definiteness of purpose to become the dominating influence in your own mental, spiritual, and physical environment)
• Caution (thinking through your plan before you act)

Thanks Napoleon! Anything else?

A strange book in a sense but one worth reading. It shows us a bit more about how Hill’s mind works and his unconventional approach at times. It displays another angle to get this information across and pass into our psyche.

Like Think & Grow Rich, it’s valuable for today’s world and could have been written for the circumstances we face. Like they say, history doesn’t repeat but it sure does rhyme!

There are some core aspects here - like drifting and definiteness of purpose - that are espoused elsewhere but perhaps not in this manner, that are central to a good and meaningful life. These are hammered home in this book and communicated in an ‘alternative’ way.

Outwitting the Devil was recommended on a podcast, and the presenter said he listened to the audio book which was an experience. I haven’t, but I do wonder how they do it with the devil speaking… could be an interesting one ;).

One of my top 3 for 2019 (as in when I first read it). That goes with Atomic Habits by James Clear and Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins. Possibly top 5 in general which would also include the other 2 in this paragraph. Honestly, if you just read those 3 books, understand them and apply them, we can forget the rest and all move on.

Have you read it, and what did you think? Any other book recs?

First image my own, other linked to source

Check out the others in the series…