A Quaker Book of Wisdom: Life Lessons In Simplicity, Service, And Common Sense

I'm no Quaker, but I enjoyed reading this book. It provides solid insight into the life of the author and their beliefs. I'm a huge fan of studying different perspectives regarding faith, and this book did not disappoint. If you are interested in the life of a Quaker, I recommend reading it.

This book speaks for me, a relatively new Quaker without the family support mechanisms birthright Friends might take for granted! My own friends and family members ask me why I chose to become a Quaker; acquaintances and curious visitors sometimes ask me what Quakers believe. The former is easier to answer than the latter, but this little book explains Friends in a welcoming manner that is easy to understand. Robert Smith touches on the history of Quakerism, his grandparents and growing up in Moorestown, New Jersey. He wrote the book because he believes there is a need in the world today for what he calls the compassionate Quaker message. The author voices his belief that "Quaker values of simplicity and silent contemplation, truth and conscience, seem more important now than ever before." He explains further. "To Quakers simplicity does not mean turning the clock back on progress or rejecting the benefits of modern science and conveniences of modern technology. Nor does it mean casting off one's possessions and embracing a life of poverty. And it certainly does not mean casting off joy." With all the currently popular books on Simple Living and spirituality, Smith's book stands out, speaking briefly and clearly in chapters titled Silence, Worship, Truth, Simplicity, Conscience, Nonviolence, Service, Business, Education and Family. In these brief chapters, he covers more issues than I can fit into this review -- Quaker history, his own military part in World War II, intermarriage, the internet, and more are within these pages. He weaves in quotes from Jesus, Martin Luther King Junior, Shakespeare, Rabindranath Tagore, as well as those from Friends past and present. The chapters fit together like quilt squares. Any one could be read and comprehended by itself, but as pieces of a whole, they reveal much more. A simple lifestyle, not necessarily "forsaking worldy goods" is connected with silent worship, bare walls, and simple folks. He tells us of his own childhood, of Quaker cousins who had more toys and possessions than he had, and of his own 'un-Quakerly jealousy." A trip to Toys 'R Us to buy a checker set with his grandson brings them down the action toys aisle, and leaves us to guess which his grandson found more appealing. He recognizes that there are increased difficulties these days when trying to sort out for children -- and for ourselves -- what is necessary from what is desired. The answer is the same as it has always been. "'What do I need?' is simplicity's fundamental questions, a question that rubs against our natural proclivity for acquiring things, a question few of us feel ready to address. America's favorite weekend activity is not participating in sports, gardening, hiking, reading, visiting with friends and neighbors. It's shopping." (pg. 54)He does not preach or focus on the Bible, but writes in an open and inclusive way about the variety within the Religious Society of Friends. "But for all their differences, Meetings for Worship are fundamentally the same. At each Meeing, a group of individuals gathers and, open to the word of God, waits in attentive,expectant silence for a spark of the divine in their midst. Sometimes it comes in words; sometimes in silence. The language of truth can often be heard in silence, if only we know how to listen." (p. 29)He closes the book with Ten Life Lessons, with explanations of each: Seize the Present; Love Yourself, whatever faults you have, and love the world however bad it is; Stop talking and listen to what you really know; Play soccer; Accept the fact that our lives are only partly in our hands; Believe in the perfectibility of yourself and society; Make your love visible in the world through your work; Seek justice in the world, but not in your own life; Look for the Light of God in everyone; Let your life speak."

As a background: I was a graduate economics student of Kenneth Boulding in 1985. He and his wife Elise were among the most prominent Quakers in the U.S. during the latter half of the 20th century. I learned much from Kenneth, and had the opportunity to ask him questions about Quakerism in his office. It resonates with some of my views on religion and personal responsibility.When I came across Smith's A Quaker Book of Wisdom recently on Amazon, I ordered it with great anticipation. Having read it cover to cover when it arrived yesterday, I can say it is an enjoyable book for an onlooker like me, but I was expecting (or maybe "hoping" is a better word) that it would provide a deeper exploration of the Quaker vision than it actually did. It kept my interest, but I wanted more. I was going to share it with my son, who is interested in comparative religion, but there's just not that much here to make it worthwhile. 3.8 stars rounds to 4.

I would not have read this book, except that it was loaned to me by a member of our book club with her enthusiastic endorsement. Neither of us is a Quaker, but the "life lessons" presented by Robert Lawrence Smith, if followed by all of us, would make the world a more peaceful, happier place to live.Some examples (all direct quotations):One of the fruits of aging is the realization that our greatest possession is what we know about life.The truth will make us free--free from meaninglessness, free from lovelessness, free from the emptiness and frustrations of egocentricity.We cannot withdraw from the process of living while we make up our minds how to live.The most precious gift life offers us is choice.There are dozens of other "nuggets," but it is the overall sense that the author lives his beliefs that makes this such a valuable read. His search for truth and meaning has lasted his whole life. From his unusual (for a Quaker) decision to enlist in the army during World War II to his years as headmaster of a Friends school, he has followed his conscience, always looking for the light and "that of God" in each person. Inspiring.

This lovely little book (pocket-size) is a wonderful gift to all. Like Quakerism, the book itself is a testimony to simplicity and integrity.I would like to have known Robert Lawrence Smith.

A Quaker Book of Wisdom is a delightful, simply worded, autobiography of a Quaker. Smith explains through the recounting of his life what it means to be a Quaker. As a very small minority within the religious landscape, Quakers are misunderstood by the mainstream and few Americans understand the great contributions they have made to our society. The prohibition of slavery, the humane treatment of the mentally ill, the advocacy of the rights of prisoners, opposition to war, and opposition to the death penalty are all manifestations of the Quaker faith which have helped shape our world.Smith conveys his personal experiences and insights on what it means to be a Quaker in simple worlds, gentle prose, and honest introspection. This book is an enjoyable read for people of all faiths and non-faiths alike.

It’s a good read.

Although I do not attend a Quaker meeting since moving back to South Wales I love reading their books, my paternal grandmothers family were Quakers, my father followed their ways and that means a lot to me as I find him in Quaker readings

This book is very good for anyone who seeks integrity , reflexion , a fuller life based in secular values wich if understud and put into practice will invariably leed to a centered full filling life . Written by a a quaker descendent . It can help anyone (not just quakers) , wich by the way is an excellent way of living a cristhian life . Very good !

Good info on the workings of the Quackers.

It truly seemed to me to contain the wisdom of the Quakers. If all read it and lived by its wisdom, the world would be a much better place.