Table of ContentsPrentice Mulford
Prentice Mulford
Last updated: July 7, 2026
Prentice Mulford is the unheralded architect of modern self-help, the original voice who taught that your thoughts are tangible forces shaping your destiny.
Lived
1834 – 1891
Nationality
American
Tradition
New Thought
Known For
Thoughts Are Things (1889), Your Forces and How to Use Them (6 volumes, 1886-1892)
Tone
Light-Leaning2 / 6
Proto-New Thought "Thoughts Are Things"; positive and exploratory.
Why Mulford Matters
Mulford matters because he was a foundational figure in popularizing the concept of mental causation, articulating with clarity and conviction that our inner states directly manifest as outer realities. His writings, predating the formal New Thought movement, provided the accessible language and practical framework for what would become the Law of Attraction. He made esoteric principles digestible for the masses, laying groundwork for countless subsequent authors in personal development and spiritual growth.
Start Here: The Reading Path
- Thoughts Are Things1889This collection of essays is Mulford's most direct and potent articulation of mental causation. It introduces the core idea that every thought, positive or negative, possesses creative energy and inevitably attracts its likeness into one's life.Read this first to grasp his fundamental premise. It is concise and impactful, serving as a perfect entry point to his philosophy.
- Your Forces and How to Use Them1886A multi-volume work, this expands on the principles introduced in 'Thoughts Are Things,' offering more detailed explanations and practical applications for harnessing one's mental and spiritual faculties for health, success, and well-being. It delves into topics like the power of silence, the influence of environment, and the cultivation of intuition.Approach this as a deeper dive after 'Thoughts Are Things.' You can read individual essays as standalone pieces, focusing on areas that resonate most with your current needs.
Core Ideas in 60 Seconds
- Thoughts are tangible, creative forces.Mulford posited that every thought is a 'thing,' an energetic vibration that goes forth into the universe and attracts its corresponding reality.Thought-Form
- The mind is the ultimate cause of all external conditions.He asserted that physical health, financial status, and personal circumstances are direct manifestations of one's predominant mental states.Mental Causation
- Silence and solitude are essential for spiritual and mental growth.Mulford emphasized the importance of retreating from external distractions to connect with the 'Spirit' within and receive inspiration.Silence The
- We possess inherent, untapped spiritual forces.He believed that individuals have access to a vast reservoir of inner power, which, when consciously directed, can transform their lives.Divine Principle
Major Works
| Title | Year | What It Teaches | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thoughts Are Things | 1889 | It teaches the fundamental principle that thoughts are not merely abstract but are potent, creative energies that shape one's reality. | Anyone seeking a clear, concise introduction to the concept of mental manifestation and the Law of Attraction. |
| Your Forces and How to Use Them | 1886 | This comprehensive work teaches how to consciously employ one's mental and spiritual faculties for personal growth, healing, and achieving desired outcomes. | Students ready for a deeper exploration of practical applications of New Thought principles, including mental healing and intuition development. |
Lineage & Influence
Influenced By
Mulford drew inspiration from Transcendentalism, particularly Ralph Waldo Emerson's emphasis on individualism, self-reliance, and the divine immanence within humanity. He also resonated with the burgeoning spiritualist and mental healing movements of his time, which posited a direct link between mind and body.
Influenced
He profoundly influenced the nascent New Thought movement, directly shaping the ideas of William Walker Atkinson, Christian D. Larson, and later, authors like Napoleon Hill, by providing the foundational concept that 'thoughts are things' and the mind's creative power. His accessible style paved the way for popular self-help literature.
Parallel Thinkers
He shares thematic commonalities with Phineas Parkhurst Quimby, who pioneered mental healing, and Emma Curtis Hopkins, another early New Thought leader who emphasized the power of affirmative thought. His work also echoes the practical idealism of Ralph Waldo Trine.
The Story
Prentice Mulford, an American journalist and humorist, embarked on a transformative journey from the rough-and-tumble gold fields of California to the quiet contemplation of spiritual philosophy. Disillusioned with conventional life, he spent years in self-imposed solitude, developing his unique insights into the power of the mind. From this period emerged his groundbreaking essays, later collected as 'Thoughts Are Things' and 'Your Forces and How to Use Them.' These works articulated a revolutionary idea: that our thoughts are not passive but active, creative forces directly shaping our health, wealth, and destiny. Mulford's accessible, conversational style made these profound metaphysical concepts available to a broad audience, establishing him as a pioneering voice in what would become the New Thought movement and laying the essential groundwork for modern self-help literature.
In Their Own Words
The thought of health produces health; the thought of disease produces disease.
Thoughts Are Things
Every thought we think, every word we speak, every act we perform, is a seed sown in the garden of our lives, which will, in due time, bring forth its own kind.
Your Forces and How to Use Them
There is no such thing as chance. Everything that happens to us is the result of our own thoughts and actions.
Thoughts Are Things
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Prentice Mulford part of the formal New Thought movement?
While Mulford's writings are foundational to New Thought, he largely predated its formal organization. He articulated many of its core principles independently, influencing later figures who would establish the movement's institutions and doctrines.
How did Mulford's background influence his writing?
Mulford's diverse background as a journalist, humorist, and a period of isolated contemplation in nature, particularly in the California wilderness, shaped his accessible and practical writing style. His experiences fostered a deep introspection that allowed him to distill complex spiritual ideas into relatable concepts.
Is Prentice Mulford still relevant today?
Absolutely. Mulford's core message that 'thoughts are things' and that mental states dictate reality remains a cornerstone of modern self-help, manifestation practices, and the Law of Attraction. His work offers a clear, unadulterated perspective on these enduring principles.