Every Man His Own University

Every Man His Own University by writen Russell Herman Conwell (February 15, 1843 – December 6, 1925) was an American Baptist minister, orator, philanthropist, lawyer, and writer.

Conwell's capacity to establish Temple University and his other civic projects largely derived from the income that he earned from this speech. The book has been regarded as a classic of New Thought literature since the 1870s. After Conwell's death, proceeds from this speech were dedicated to the Sunday Breakfast Association, a homeless shelter in Philadelphia.

A distinct university walks about under each man's hat. The only man who achieves success in the other universities of the world, and in the larger university of life, is the man who has first taken his graduate course and his post-graduate course in the university under his hat. There observation furnishes a daily change in the curriculum. Books are not the original sources of power, but observation, which may bring to us all wide experience, deep thinking, fine feeling, and the power to act for oneself, is the very dynamo of power.

Originally published in 1917. The lecture consists of six parts:

I. Every Man's University

II. Animals and "The Least Things"

III. The Bottom Rung

IV. Home Reading

V. Thoughtfulness

VI. Instincts and Individuality

Other works by Conwell include:

Every Man His Own University

Acres of Diamonds

Increasing Personal Efficiency

The Key to Success

Health Healing and Faith

Praying for Money

Subconscious Religion