SUCCESS ESSAY: INTOLERANCE
Napoleon Hill wrote this essay as a moral plea. Intolerance, he argued, is humanity’s greatest failure. It grows from religious, racial, and economic prejudice — and it destroys what unity could build.
Scripture agrees. Galatians 3:28 declares: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” God designed diversity. Division is man’s invention.
Hill compared life to a candle — brief, bright, then gone. James 4:14 confirms: “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Since our time is short, we must spend it building, not tearing down.
His final hope was to arrive in eternity among souls unmarked by race or creed. Revelation 7:9 pictures exactly this: “A great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne.” Eternity erases every man-made barrier.
Intolerance is a waste of the little time we have.
Invest it in love.
NAPOLEON HILL’S 10 RULES FOR SUCCESS
Rule 1 — Set a Definite Major Purpose and begin NOW.
Purpose is not optional — it is foundational. Proverbs 29:18 warns: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Without a clear target, effort scatters. Habakkuk 2:2 adds: “Write the vision, make it plain.” Write your purpose. Start today.
Rule 2 — Go the Extra Mile.
Exceed what is expected. Matthew 5:41 captures this exactly: “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two.” Jesus made going further a spiritual discipline, not just a work ethic. Those who serve beyond expectation expand their influence and their reward.
Rule 3 — Keep a Positive Mental Attitude.
The mind is a battlefield. Romans 12:2 commands: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Defeatism is a mindset, and so is victory. Philippians 4:8 gives the prescription: “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely — think on these things.” Guard your thoughts. They govern your outcomes.
Rule 4 — Apply the Golden Rule in all relationships.
Hill said apply it regardless of what others do. Jesus said the same. Matthew 7:12: “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” This is not naivety — it is strength. It places your conduct above the conduct of others and builds trust that outlasts conflict.
Rule 5 — Learn from others’ experience in your field.
Wisdom accelerates progress. Proverbs 15:22 states: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Study those who have gone before you. Their mistakes are your shortcuts. Their breakthroughs are your blueprints.
Rule 6 — Be prudent with diet, exercise, and avoid harmful substances.
The body is the vessel for every purpose you carry. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 is direct: “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit… honour God with your bodies.” Poor health limits every other rule on this list. Steward your body as a strategic asset.
Rule 7 — Fix your thoughts on what you desire, not what you fear.
Attention fuels direction. Job 3:25 reveals the danger: “What I feared has come upon me.” Fear-focused thinking attracts what it dwells on. But Mark 11:24 offers the positive counterpart: “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it.” Direct your dominant thoughts toward your desired destination.
Rule 8 — Transmute passion into creative purpose.
Hill understood that intense emotion, when channelled, becomes extraordinary creative energy. Romans 12:11 says: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.” Misdirected passion wastes power. Channelled into purpose, it drives breakthrough. Every great achievement is passion disciplined.
Rule 9 — When working for another, do it their way — graciously.
Submission done well is a virtue. Colossians 3:23 states: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Excellence in someone else’s context builds character, credibility, and capacity. It also positions you for greater responsibility.
Rule 10 — Correct yourself before criticising others.
This is perhaps the most confronting rule. Matthew 7:3-5 says it plainly: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Self-examination is not a weakness. It is the highest form of personal leadership. Those who master themselves earn the right to lead others.
Summary
Hill’s principles are not merely motivational — they are moral. Scripture confirms each one. Together, they form a framework for living with purpose, integrity, and impact. The Christian entrepreneur does not simply chase success. He builds something worthy of eternity.
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