Quaker Book of Wisdom: Life Lessons in Simplicity, Service and Common Sense by Robert Lawrence Smith

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(Paperback - 1 PBK ED)

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  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
  • Pub. Date: September 1999
  • ISBN-13: 9780688172336
  • Sales Rank: 92,568
  • 208pp
  • Edition Description: 1 PBK ED
 
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Synopsis

"The most valuable aspect of religion," writes Robert Lawrence Smith, "is that it provides us with a framework for living. I have always felt that the beauty and power of Quakerism is that it exhorts us to live more simply, more truthfully, more charitably." Taking his inspiration from the teaching of the first Quaker, George Fox, and from his own nine generations of Quaker forebears, Smith speaks to all of us who are seeking a way to make our lives simpler, more meaningful, and more useful. Beginning with the Quaker belief that "There is that of God in every person," Smith explores the ways in which we can harness the inner light of God that dwells in each of us to guide the personal choices and challenges we face every day. How to live and speak truthfully. How to listen for, trust, and act on our conscience. How to make our work an expression of the best that is in us. Using vivid examples from his own life, Smith writes eloquently of Quaker Meeting, his decision to fight in World War II, and later to oppose the Vietnam War. From his work as an educator and headmaster to his role as a husband and father, Smith quietly convinces that the lofty ideals of Quakerism offer all of us practical tools for leading a more meaningful life. His book culminates with a moving letter to his grandchildren which imparts ten lessons for "letting your life speak."

Marian W. Edelman

"Here is a road map to reach the places in the soul which can give life meaning."

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Biography

Robert Lawrence Smith is he former headmaster of Sidwell Friends School in Washington. D.C., the country's largets Quaker day school. He served for ten years as the executive director of the Council for American Private Education and worked on the U.S. Senator Thomas Eagleton's professional staff for educational issues. He analyzed adult literacy programs for the Community Foundation of Greater Washington and helped design drug prevention programs for the Corporation Against Drug Abuse. Robert Lawrence Smith lives in Washington, D.C.

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  • Ratings: 2Reviews: 2

Quaker Book of Wisdom: Life Lessons in Simplicity, Service and Common Senseby Anonymous

Reader Rating:

March 12, 2001: Robert Lawrence Smith (even his name is plain!) presents ten primary Quaker values. He explains what Quakerism is and is not: 'Quakerism is the only faith that is most commonly explained in a cascade of negatives. Quakerism has no theology, no body of religious dogma, no sacred books, no written creed... Quakers do not acept the idea of original sin, nor do they believe in a personal God who rewards and punishes... Forget eternal damnation. Forget salvation. And also heaven, hell, and purgatory. Look for truth within yourself and within the Meeting for Worship. Live a life of simplicity, love, and service. Let your life speak...' (Beginning of Chapter 2). But whether or not the reader is interested in the religion, A Quaker Book of Wisdom describes a philosophy of life that anyone can follow. There is absolutely no preaching or evangelism--that would be un-Quakerly. Smith clearly and concisely describes the Quaker way of life with telling examples, mostly from the lives of his own family. He leaves it to the reader to decide whether this way of life holds value for herself. I am not a religious person; I don't believe in God. Yet I found so much to value and relish in this remarkable little volume that I find myself re-reading sections at odd times. Although my own life bears too little resemblance to the Quaker lifestyle described, each time I sample this book, I come away feeling soothed and refreshed. It's heartening to know that there is a people that espouses what have become old-fashioned values, but is neither passive, reactionary, reclusive, or judgemental of others. In a vague way, I've always admired Quakers for their unobtrusive participation in many humanitarian causes. That's what inspired me to read this book. Having read it, I admire them all the more, and resolve to live my life at least a little differently. Certainly, if people generally practiced a bit more of only four of Smith's Quaker tenets--silence, truth, simplicity, and service--our society would be vastly improved in innumerable ways.

Quaker Book of Wisdom: Life Lessons in Simplicity, Service and Common Senseby Anonymous

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October 27, 2000: This book is an extremely well written summary of the essentials of Quaker beliefs and philosophy. I stumbled on it while searching for a book on simplicity and found it to be fascinating reading. The author is a birthright Quaker and gives an outsider a good summary of Quaker beliefs and the quakerly approach to life. He states that he originally started writing this book for his grandchildren and then was moved to publish it. The philosophy of life outlined in his book would be a good way for everyone in this world to run their lives. I am not a Quaker, but I did attend a Quaker college and thus could appreciate what he had to say.