The Creed of Elbert Hubbard

(Elbert Green Hubbard—June 19, 1856 to May 7, 1915—was an American writer publisher, artist, and philosopher.)

I KNOW: That I am here. In a world where nothing is permanent but change, And that in degree I, myself, can change the form of things, And influence a few people;

And that I am influenced by these and other people; That I am influenced by the example and by the work of men who are no longer alive, And that the work I now do will in degree influence people who may live after my life has changed into other forms;

That a certain attitude of mind and habit of action on my part will add to the peace, happiness and well-being of other people, And that a different thought and action on my part will bring pain and discord to others;

That if I would secure a reasonable happiness for myself, I must give out good-will to others; That to better my own condition I must practise mutuality; That bodily health is necessary to continued and effective work;

That I am ruled largely by habit; That habit is a form of exercise; That up to a certain point, exercise means increased strength or ease in effort; That all life is the expression of spirit; That my spirit influences my body, And my body influences my spirit;

That the universe to me is very beautiful, and everything and everybody in it good and beautiful when my body and my spirit are in harmonious mood; That my thoughts are hopeful and helpful unless I am filled with fear,

And that to eliminate fear my life must be dedicated to useful work—work in which I forget myself; That fresh air in abundance, and moderate, systematic exercise in the open air are the part of wisdom; That I can not afford, for my own sake, to be resentful nor quick to take offence;

That happiness is a great power for good, And that happiness in not possible without moderation and equanimity; And that the reward which life holds out for work is not idleness nor rest, nor immunity from work, but increased capacity, GREATER DIFFICULTIES, MORE WORK.

I BELIEVE in the Motherhood of God. I believe in the blessed Trinity of Father, Mother and Child.

I believe that God is here, and that we are as near Him now as ever we shall be. I do not believe He started this world a-going and went away and left it to run itself.

I believe in the sacredness of the human body, this transient dwelling-place of a living soul, and so I deem it the duty of every man and every woman to keep his or her body beautiful through right thinking and right living.

I believe that the love of man for woman, and the love of woman for man, is holy; and that this love in all its promptings is as much an emanation of the Divine Spirit as man’s love for God, or the most daring hazards of the human mind.

I believe in salvation through economic, social and spiritual freedom.

I believe John Ruskin, William Morris, Henry Thoreau, Walt Whitman and Leo Tolstoy to be Prophets of God, who should rank in mental reach and spiritual insight with Elijah, Hosea, Ezekiel and Isaiah.

I believe that men are inspired today as much as ever men were.

I believe we are now living in Eternity as much as ever we shall.

I believe that the best way to prepare for a Future Life is to be kind, live one day at a time, and do the work you can do the best, doing it as well as you can.

I believe we should remember the weekday to keep it holy.

I believe there is no devil but fear.

I believe that no one can harm you but yourself.

I believe in my own divinity—and yours.

I believe that we are all sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be.

I believe the only way we can reach the Kingdom of Heaven is to have the Kingdom of Heaven in our hearts.

I believe in every man minding his business.

I believe in freedom—social, economic, domestic, political, mental, spiritual.

I believe in sunshine, fresh air, friendship, calm sleep, beautiful thoughts.

I believe in the paradox of success through failure.

I believe in the purifying process of sorrow, and I believe that death is a manifestation of life.

I believe the Universe planned for good.

I believe it is possible that I shall make other creeds, and change this one, or add to it, from time to time as new light may come to me. (The Note Book of Elbert Hubbard, pp. 24-26)