Here is a formula for all philosophy: if it works, it’s true.

Popular voice of alternative spirituality Mitch Horowitz provides 101 principles—drawn from religious, mythical, occult, symbolic, and esoteric philosophy—that plainly work.

Mitch’s 101 statements distill ages of human insight—and libraries, old and new—into actionable, reliable, and protective techniques. Each principle is augmented by a to-the-point chapter on how to apply it—and why.

Realism and effectiveness animate this roster of ideas. They include:

• Beware those who keep pets that bite—including people
• Know whether you are guest or host and the obligations of each
• The only things you can give another are money or time
• Do not overtalk
• Accept credit. You will get blame when you do not deserve it
• Great execution matters far more than great ideas
• When facing conflict, trust your intellect not your passions
• The only real emergency is a medical emergency
• Better to be nobly alone than settle for low company
• Do not grow fascinated with people who dislike you
• Judge quality not category
• Do not complain, including internally
• Sobriety is lucky

William James called for a philosophy of “cash-value.” This book is it. “I have lived, failed, tested, repeated, and fitfully succeeded with each maxim,” Mitch writes. “Success is agency; these are, in my best assessment, its worthiest principles.”

“Mitch is solid gold”—David Lynch | “The thinking-man’s mage”—Douglas Rushkoff
“Mitch’s work has sustained me for years”—Jacqueline Novak