The Power of the Spoken Word

Every word you speak is either building your life or quietly tearing it down — and few writers have made that case with more conviction or clarity than Florence Scovel Shinn. 'The Power of the Spoken Word' is a compact but deeply resonant work of spiritual self-help that distills her lifelong teaching into some of its most direct and accessible form, offering readers a practical philosophy built on the belief that language is not merely communication, but creation.

Shinn's central premise is deceptively simple: the words we speak — and the thoughts behind them — carry a vibrational force that shapes our outer reality. This isn't presented as metaphor or poetic flourish. For Shinn, it is spiritual law, as reliable and consistent as gravity. When we speak words of fear, lack, or resentment, we are actively calling those conditions into our lives. When we speak words of faith, abundance, and goodwill, we open the channel for something better to flow in. The book is essentially a guide to understanding this law and learning to work with it deliberately.

What makes Shinn's writing so enduring is its tone. She writes with the brisk warmth of someone who has seen these principles work, again and again, in the lives of real people. Her style is anecdotal and direct — she tells stories, offers affirmations, and draws freely from scripture and metaphysical tradition without ever becoming heavy or academic. There is something almost conversational about the way she addresses the reader, as though she is sitting across the table from you and speaking frankly about what she knows.

The book covers a wide range of life situations — financial struggle, broken relationships, poor health, fear of the future — and in each case returns to the same steady message: change what you say, and you begin to change what you see. Whether you are new to metaphysical thinking or have been walking this path for years, Shinn's words have a way of landing with fresh force every time you return to them.

Florence Scovel Shinn was a woman ahead of her time. To many, she is considered to be among the likes of James Allen, Wallace D. Wattles and Napoleon Hill. She had the ability to explain her success principles and how they work in an entertaining and easy-to-read style. She can be considered one of last century's most popular success teachers.

Florence Scovel Shinn was born on September 24, 1871, in Camden, New Jersey to Alden Cortland Scovel and Emily Hopkinson. She had an older sister and a younger brother. She was educated at Friends Central School in Philadelphia. She later studied art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts from 1889 to 1897. While there, she met Everett Shinn, a painter of impressionistic canvases and realistic murals. They married shortly after Florence graduated from the art academy. The Shinns moved to New York where both pursued their separate careers, Everett in the theatre while Florence did illustrations for children's literature in magazines and books.
In 1925, Florence decided to publish her first book 'The Game of Life and How to Play It'. After unsuccessfully finding a publisher for her work, she published it herself. Her second book, 'Your Word is Your Wand' followed in 1928 and her final book 'The Secret Door to Success' was published in 1940 shortly before her death on October 17, 1940. A fourth book, 'The Power of the Spoken Word' is a compendium of her notes, gathered by one of her students and published posthumously in 1945.

Florence Scovel Shinn’s The Power of the Spoken Word is a short but influential work of spiritual self-help built around one central idea: words are not merely sounds we use to communicate with other people; they are creative forces that shape the conditions of our lives. Shinn presents speech as a kind of spiritual instrument. What a person repeatedly says, especially with conviction and feeling, can influence thought, expectation, behavior, and, in her metaphysical view, the circumstances that eventually appear in life. The book therefore asks readers to become more conscious of their language and to replace fearful, defeated speech with words that express faith, abundance, health, love, and confidence.

At the heart of Shinn’s teaching is the belief that the spoken word reveals what is happening in the mind. People often speak from habit. They say that they are unlucky, that money is difficult to obtain, that nobody helps them, that they always fail, or that something bad will probably happen. Shinn argues that such statements are far more serious than ordinary complaints. When repeated, they reinforce an inner picture of limitation. The person begins to expect the very conditions he or she fears. In contrast, words expressing faith and possibility help create a different mental atmosphere. Speech becomes a deliberate act of choosing what one wants to give attention and emotional energy.

Shinn’s approach is closely connected with the idea of affirmation. An affirmation is not simply a cheerful sentence repeated mechanically. For Shinn, it is a statement of spiritual truth spoken with confidence and acceptance. Instead of saying, “I am afraid I will lose everything,” a person learns to declare that there is a right outcome and that the necessary good can come into his or her life. Instead of dwelling on scarcity, one speaks of supply and opportunity. Instead of repeatedly discussing illness or weakness, one affirms life, strength, and well-being. The purpose is to move the mind away from the problem and toward the desired result.

One of the book’s most memorable principles is that words should be chosen with care because the subconscious mind accepts repeated suggestions. Shinn sees the subconscious as fertile ground: whatever is planted there through thought, speech, and feeling may eventually influence conduct and experience. This explains why casual negative expressions matter. A person may say something pessimistic without intending it literally, yet the repetition of such language can gradually become a mental habit. The remedy is conscious speech. Shinn encourages readers to stop feeding the mind with predictions of failure and to cultivate language that supports courage and constructive action.

The book also emphasizes the importance of speaking from faith rather than fear. Fear, in Shinn’s system, is not simply an unpleasant emotion; it is a form of misplaced creative attention. When people continually imagine what they do not want, they give those possibilities emotional power. Faith reverses the process. It directs attention toward the desired outcome and trusts that life can unfold in a way that is more favorable than fear suggests. Shinn repeatedly encourages the reader to refuse to rehearse disaster mentally and verbally. One should speak as though the good outcome is possible, even when present circumstances appear discouraging.

A major theme is prosperity. Shinn’s idea of prosperity is broader than simply becoming rich. She connects abundance with the belief that there is an adequate supply of good things and that people do not need to live permanently under the assumption of lack. Financial difficulties, missed opportunities, or insecurity can easily produce language of scarcity: “There is never enough” or “I cannot afford anything.” Shinn urges the reader to replace such statements with words that affirm divine supply, right opportunity, wise provision, and freedom from fear. Her message is not merely to demand money, but to cultivate an inner expectation of sufficiency.

The same principle is applied to relationships. Shinn warns against words spoken in anger, resentment, or judgment because language can deepen conflict. When people continually describe others as selfish, impossible, dishonest, or unloving, they strengthen their own negative picture of the relationship. She recommends speaking about people in terms of their highest potential and affirming harmony, understanding, and right action. This does not mean pretending that harmful behavior does not exist. Rather, it means refusing to make negativity the permanent center of one’s attention.

Another important idea is the power of words in moments of difficulty. Shinn recognizes that people naturally speak differently when life is going well and when they are under pressure. Her spiritual discipline is most important precisely during difficult periods. A person who can maintain constructive speech while facing uncertainty develops a different relationship with fear. Instead of allowing circumstances to dictate every thought and sentence, the individual uses speech to reaffirm inner stability. In this sense, the spoken word becomes a daily practice of emotional and spiritual discipline.

Ultimately, The Power of the Spoken Word is a book about responsibility for the inner atmosphere we create through language. Its deepest lesson is not that every sentence magically controls the universe, but that speech reveals and reinforces the direction of the mind. Words can weaken us or strengthen us; they can keep fear alive or make room for courage. Shinn invites readers to listen to their own conversations and ask what kind of future those conversations are preparing them to expect. Her message is simple and enduring: speak with greater awareness, refuse to make fear your authority, affirm what is constructive and life-giving, and let your words become an expression of faith rather than defeat.

Chapter 1 : Weapons Ye Know Not Of
 

“I have weapons ye know not of!; I have ways ye know not of! I have channels ye know not of! Mysterious weapons, mysterious ways, mysterious channels! For God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.” The trouble with most people is that they want to know the way and the channels beforehand. They want to tell Supreme Intelligence just how their prayers should be answered. They do not trust the wisdom and ingenuity of God. They pray, giving Infinite Intelligence definite directions how to work, thereby limiting the Holy One of Israel.

Jesus Christ said: “When ye pray, believe ye have it.” What could be more simple or direct? “Become as a little child if you would enter the kingdom.” We might paraphrase the scriptures and say, have the expectancy of a little child and your prayers will be answered. A child waits with joyful expectancy for his toys at Christmas. I give the illustration of the little boy who asked for a drum for Christmas. The child does not lie awake at night agonizing over his drum wondering whether he will get it. He goes to bed and sleeps like a top. He jumps out of bed in the morning ready for the happy day before him. He looks with wonder at that which is before him.

The grown-up person spends sleepless nights agonizing over his problem. Instead of a drum, he has spoken for a large sum of money. He can’t think of any way it can come, and will it come on time? He will tell you he has perfect faith in God, but, he would like to know more about the channel and how it is to be done. The answer comes, “I have weapons ye know not of.” “My ways are ingenious, my methods are sure.”

“Trust in me, commit your ways unto me.” Committing your ways unto the Lord seems very difficult to most people. It means, of course, to follow intuition, for intuition is the magic path, the beeline to your demonstration. Intuition is a Spiritual faculty above the intellect. It is the “still small voice” commonly called a hunch, which says, “This is the way, walk ye in it.” I refer to intuition very often for it is the most important part of Spiritual development. It is Divine Guidance. It is the God within, it is the eye which watches over Israel and never slumbers or sleeps. With it, nothing is unimportant. Acknowledge me in all your ways and I will make plain your path. Remember—despise not the day of small things (of seemingly unimportant events).

It is very difficult for a person who has always followed the reasoning mind, to suddenly follow intuition, especially people who have, what they call, regular habits. They are accustomed to doing the same thing every day at the same time.

Meals like clockwork. They get up at a certain time and go to bed at a certain time. Any deviation upsets them.

We have the power of choice—we may follow the magic path of intuition, or the long and hard road of experience, by following the reasoning mind. By following the super-conscious we attain the heights. In the intuition, are the pictures of eternal youth and eternal life, where death itself is overcome. We have the power to impress the subconscious mind with the picture of Eternal youth and Eternal life. The subconscious, being simply power without direction, carries out the idea, and we have our bodies transmuted into the body which can never die. We see this idea partly expressed in the moving picture “The Lost Horizon.” Shangrila was a symbolic picture of the “World of the Wondrous,” where all conditions are perfect.

There is a Spiritual prototype of your body and affairs. I call it the Divine Design and this Divine Design is a Perfect Idea in your super-conscious mind. Most people are far from expressing the Divine Idea of their bodies and affairs. They have stamped the contrary pictures of disease, old age and death upon the subconscious, and it has carefully carried out their orders. Now we must give a new order; “Let me now express the Divine Idea in my mind, body and affairs.” If you will impress the subconscious by repeating this statement you will be amazed at the changes which soon take place. You will be bombarded by new ideas and new ideals. A chemical change will take place in your body. Your environment will change for the better, for you are expanding rapidly into the Divine Plan, where all conditions are permanently perfect.

“Lift up your heads, ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord (or Law) strong and mighty. The Lord mighty in battle.”

Now remember, the Bible is talking about thoughts and states of consciousness. Here is a picture of the Perfect Ideas of the super-conscious mind, rushing into your conscious mind. Gates and doors are lifted up, and “The King of Glory comes in.” “Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty. The Lord mighty in battle.” This King of Glory has weapons ye know not of and puts to flight the army of the aliens (the negative thoughts entrenched in your consciousness for countless ages). These negative thoughts have always defeated the manifestation of your heart’s desire. They are the thought forms which you have built up in your subconscious by constantly thinking the same thoughts. You have built up a fixed idea that “Life is hard and filled with disappointments.” You will meet these thoughts as concrete experiences in life, for “Out of the imaginations of the heart come the issues of life.”

“My ways are ways of pleasantness.” We should all build up in consciousness a picture of peace, harmony and beauty and some day it will push itself into visibility. The Divine Idea of your life often flashes across your consciousness as something too good to be true. Very few people fulfill their destinies. Destiny means the place you were destined to fill. We are fully equipped for the Divine Plan of our lives. We are more than equal to every situation. If we could get the realization back of these words doors would fly open and channels be cleared. We could actually hear the hum of Divine activity, for we would be linked with Infinite Intelligence which knows no defeat. Opportunities would come to us from unexpected quarters. Divine activity would operate in and through all our affairs and the Divine Idea would come to pass.

God is Love but God is Law, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (or laws). Dr. Ernest Wilson told me that his first knowledge of Truth came through reading Emerson’s “Concentration.” Concentration means loving absorption. We see children lovingly absorbed in their play. We can only be a success in a line which interests us greatly. Great inventors are never bored with their work, or they would not bring forth great inventions. Never try to force a child to be something he does not want to be. He will only prove a failure. The first start toward success is to be glad you are yourself. So many people are bored by themselves. They have no self-reliance, and are always wishing they were someone else.

When I was in London I saw a man on the street selling a new song, it was called, “I’m tickled to death I’m me.” I thought that was a wonderful idea—start out by being glad you are yourself. Then you can expand rapidly into the Divine plan of your life where you fulfill your destiny. You may be sure that the Divine plan of your life will give you perfect satisfaction. You will no longer envy anyone. People often become impatient and discouraged. I was inspired by reading in the paper about Omaha, the famous racehorse. The article said, “Omaha has to run a mile before he gets into his stride.” There are, no doubt, a lot of Omahas in the world, but they can get into their Spiritual stride, and win the race, in the twinkling of an eye.

“Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Delight thyself in the law and it will give to thee the desires of thine heart. “Delighting yourself in the law” means to enjoy making a demonstration. To enjoy trusting God, means to be happy in following your intuitive leads. Most people say, “Oh dear; I’ve got to demonstrate money again;” or “Oh dear, my hunches make me so nervous, I haven’t the nerve to follow them.” People enjoy playing golf and tennis, why can’t we enjoy playing the game of life? It is because we are playing with unseen forces. With golf or tennis they have balls they can see and a goal which is visible to the naked eye; but how much more important is this game of life? The goal is the Divine plan of your life where all conditions are permanently perfect.

“In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will make plain thy paths.” Every moment we can link with intuition, will give us as definite a lead as a signpost. So many people are leading such complicated lives because they are trying to think things out instead of “intuiting” the way out.

I know a woman who says she has a thorough knowledge of Truth and its application but the minute she has a problem she reasons and weighs and measures the situation. It is never solved. Intuition flies out of the window when reason comes to the door. Intuition is a Spiritual faculty, the super-conscious, and never explains itself. There came a voice before me, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it.” Someone asked me if the reasoning mind was ever any good. The reasoning mind must be redeemed. Trust in Spiritual law and “it will be given you.”

Your part is to be a good receiver, prepare for your blessing, rejoice and give thanks and it will come to pass.

I have weapons ye know not of, I have ways which will astound you.

 

Chapter 2 : I Give Unto You Power

 
God’s gift to man is power; power and dominion over all created things; his mind, his body, and affairs. All unhappiness comes from lack of power. Man imagines himself weak and the victim of circumstances, claiming that “Conditions over which he had no control” caused his defeat. Man by himself, is indeed, a victim of circumstances; but linked with God-power all things are possible.

Through a knowledge of metaphysics we are discovering how this can be done. By your word you contact this power. Then, miraculously, every burden is lifted and every battle is won. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. Watch your words with all diligence. You are continually reaping the fruits of your words. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works to the end, to him will I give power and dominion over the nations.” Overcoming means to conquer all doubts, fears and negative vibrations. One man with perfect peace and perfect poise, filled with love and good-will, could dissolve all negative vibrations. They would melt away like snow under the sun. Jesus Christ said: “All power is given unto me to bring heaven upon earth.” Let us give thanks that this is now coming to pass—for evil is unreal and leaves no stain. This God-power is within you, your super-conscious mind. It is the realm of inspiration, revelation and illumination. It is the realm of miracles and wonders. Quick and seemingly impossible changes take place for your good. A door opens where there were no doors. Supply appears from hidden and unexpected channels, for “God has weapons ye know not of.”

To work with God-power you must give it right of way and still the reasoning mind. The instant you ask, Infinite Intelligence knows the way of fulfillment. Man’s part is to rejoice and give thanks, and act his Faith. A very well known woman in England told of this experience: She was asking, with great feeling, for a realization of God. These words came to her “Act as though I were, and I am.” It is exactly what I say, over and over again—only active Faith impresses the subconscious, and unless you impress the subconscious, there are no results.

I will now give you an example to show you just how the law works. A woman came to me whose heart’s desire was her right marriage and happy home. She was very fond of a certain man, but he was a most difficult person. After having shown her every attention and devotion, he suddenly changed, and dropped out of her life. She was unhappy, resentful and discouraged. I said, “Now this is the time to prepare for your happy home! Buy little things for it as if you hadn’t a minute to spare.” She became quite interested in shopping for her happy home, when all appearances were against it. “Now,” I said, “you’ll have to perfect yourself on the situation and become immune to all resentment and unhappiness.” I gave her the statement: “I am now immune to all hurt and resentment: my poise is built upon a rock, the Christ within.” I said, “When you are immune to all hurt and resentment, this man will be given you or his equivalent.” It took many months, when one evening she came to see me and said, “I have only the kindest and most friendly feelings for this man. If he isn’t the Divine selection I would be happy without him.”

Not long after, she happened to meet the man. He was so sorry for the way he had acted. He begged her to forgive him. Not long after, they were married and a happy home came into manifestation. It had built itself around her active Faith.

Your only enemies are within yourself. The woman’s enemies were “hurt” and “resentment.” They are indeed “serpents and scorpions.” Many lives have been wrecked by these two enemies. Linked with God-power, all opposition vanished from this woman’s life. Nothing could by any means hurt her.

Think what that means, to have a life free from all unhappy experiences. It is done through making a conscious contact with God-power every instant.