Russell Conwell

Acres of Diamonds Russell Conwell

Although one might think that Acres of Diamonds is about the Kimberlite mines in South Africa and how Diamonds are worthless stones having an artificial value which does not account for the pain and suffering to the people that extract them in miserable conditions for low wages. It is actually about how many people have been sitting on millions of dollars on their property or within themselves but sought riches elsewhere. The "Acres of Diamonds" which I have mentioned through so many years are to be found wherever you are now, and you are to find them. Many have found them. And what man has done, man can do. I could not find anything better to illustrate my thought than a story I have told over and over again, and which is now found in books in nearly every library. The central idea of the work 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 the theme through examples of success, genius, service, or other virtues involving ordinary Americans contemporary to his audience: "dig in your own back-yard!".