Where is your Acre of Diamonds? Part 1

“He had not lost anything, but he was poor because he was discontented, and discontented because he feared he was poor.”

Russell Herman Conwell (1843-1925) was an American Baptist minister, orator, philanthropist, lawyer, and writer. He is best remembered as the founder and first president of Temple University in Philadelphia and for his inspirational lecture, Acres of Diamonds.

Conwell delivered it more than 6,000 times around the world. It was first published in 1890 by the John Y. Huber Company of Philadelphia. Its thesis is that one need not look elsewhere for opportunity, achievement, or fortune—the resources to achieve all good things are present in one’s own community. This theme is developed by an introductory anecdote, told to Conwell by an Arab guide, about a man who wanted to find diamonds so badly that he sold his property and went off in futile search for them; the new owner of his home discovered that a rich diamond mine was located right there on the property.

Conwell elaborates on this theme while providing examples of success, genius, service, or other virtues involving ordinary Americans contemporary to his audience. What he earned in fees from his Acres of Diamonds programs enabled him to found and support Temple University as well as other worthy projects.

According to Acres of Diamonds by Russell Conwell, as told by the guide, while Conwell was travelling down the Tigris and Euphrates rivers with a party of English travelers, there was a farmer, Ali Hafed, from ancient Persia now known as Iran. Ali Hafed was very wealthy. He owned a very large farm with orchards, grain-fields, and gardens. He was wealthy and contented.

One day, a Buddhist priest visited Ali Hafed. During the conversation, this wise priest from the East told Hafed about diamonds. The priest told Ali Hafed that if “he had one diamond the size of his thumb, he could purchase the county, and if he had a mine of diamonds he could place his children upon thrones through the influence of their great wealth.” Ali Hafed heard all about diamonds, and how much they were worth. Though Hafed’s situation hadn’t changed, he went to his bed that night feeling poor and discontented because of envy and greed.

Ali Hafed decided that he wanted a diamond mine, and the next day he rushed to see the priest and asked where he could find diamonds. He explained to the priest that he wanted to be immensely rich. Hafed sold his farm, collected the money, left his neighbour to take care of his family, and went off in search of diamonds.... Part 2 coming soon....

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