--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The world in which you live is not…" description: "\"The world in which you live is not primarily determined by outward conditions and circumstances but by the thoughts that habitually occupy your mind.\" ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c8/norman-vincent-peale-539_circumstances_the-world-in-which-you-live-is-not-prima_974764.jpg" --- # The world in which you live is not primarily determined by… ![“The world in which you live is not primarily determined by outward conditions and circumstances but by the thoughts that habitually occupy your mind.” quote by Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c8/norman-vincent-peale-539_circumstances_the-world-in-which-you-live-is-not-prima_974764.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c8/norman-vincent-peale-539_circumstances_the-world-in-which-you-live-is-not-prima_974764.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c8/norman-vincent-peale-539_circumstances_the-world-in-which-you-live-is-not-prima_974764.jpg) > “The world in which you live is not primarily determined by outward conditions and circumstances but by the thoughts that habitually occupy your mind.” [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our mindset shapes reality more than external conditions; thoughts create our experience. **In simple terms:** Thoughts shape life more than circumstances. Key Takeaway Cultivate positive, habitual thoughts. Themes mindset psychology self‑help Mood optimistic motivational Type self‑help psychological When to use this quote - stress management - goal setting - personal development - mental health Key Concepts Cognitive psychology Positive thinking Questions to Reflect On - What thoughts dominate your daily life? - How can you shift negative habits? A Different Perspective Positive thinking alone cannot change all external realities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Determined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determined/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [You are not what you think you are, but WHAT YOU THINK, the thoughts that habitually possess your mind, that is what you are](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-m-bristol/you-are-not-what-you-think-you-are-but-what-you-think-the-thoughts/) [Claude M. Bristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-m-bristol/) > [If people believe they can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and they have no control over outside circumstances, those thoughts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/if-people-believe-they-can-be-in-the-wrong-place-at-the-wrong-time/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [Whatever you habitually think yourself to be, that you are. You must form, now, a greater and better habit; you must form a conception…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/whatever-you-habitually-think-yourself-to-be-that-you-are-you-must/) [Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/) > [“He habitually wears an expression as if he had determined to drive his head through a brick wall, and was about to do it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-harry-williams/he-habitually-wears-an-expression-as-if-he-had-determined-to-drive/) T. Harry Williams > [We become what we habitually contemplate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-russell/we-become-what-we-habitually-contemplate/) [George Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-russell/) > [A people among whom there is no habit of spontaneous action for a collective interest - who look habitually to their government to command…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/a-people-among-whom-there-is-no-habit-of-spontaneous-action-for-a/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [“In fact, some people use humour so habitually that it is hard for them to remain serious for any length of time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hough/in-fact-some-people-use-humour-so-habitually-that-it-is-hard-for-them/) Margaret Hough > [“We are thus led to ask what the writer looks for and how he trains himself to look for it. 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Therefore we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaiten-nukariya/5-zazen-or-the-sitting-in-meditation-habit-comes-out-of-practice-and/) [Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaiten-nukariya/) > [Whatever attitudes we habitually use toward ourselves, we will use on others, and whatever attitudes we habitually use toward others, we will use on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henepola-gunaratana/whatever-attitudes-we-habitually-use-toward-ourselves-we-will-use-on/) [Henepola Gunaratana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henepola-gunaratana/) > [As a sex, women are habitually indolent; and every thing tends to make them so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft/as-a-sex-women-are-habitually-indolent-and-every-thing-tends-to-make/) [Mary Wollstonecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft/) > [“As long as the acquisition of knowledge is rendered habitually repugnant, so long will there be a prevailing tendency to discontinue it when free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/as-long-as-the-acquisition-of-knowledge-is-rendered-habitually/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [Advancement only come with habitually doing more than you are asked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ryan/advancement-only-come-with-habitually-doing-more-than-you-are-asked/) [Gary Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ryan/) > [“A lot of habitually creative people have preparation rituals linked to the setting in which they choose to start their day. By putting themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/a-lot-of-habitually-creative-people-have-preparation-rituals-linked/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) ## More by Norman Vincent Peale > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Always remember, there is more strength in you than you ever realized or even imagined. Certainly nothing can keep you down if you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/always-remember-there-is-more-strength-in-you-than-you-ever-realized/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [One of the most powerful concepts, one which is a sure cure for lack of confidence, is the thought that God is with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/one-of-the-most-powerful-concepts-one-which-is-a-sure-cure-for-lack/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [When we start focusing on things we can do and don't think so much about the things we can't do, things really start to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/when-we-start-focusing-on-things-we-can-do-and-don-t-think-so-much/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The only figure in history who endures is Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/the-only-figure-in-history-who-endures-is-jesus/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [I believe absolutely and certainly that, when you die, you will meet your loved ones and know them and be reunited with them, never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/i-believe-absolutely-and-certainly-that-when-you-die-you-will-meet/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The cyclone derives its powers from a calm center. So does a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/the-cyclone-derives-its-powers-from-a-calm-center-so-does-a-person/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Positive Thinkers get positive results because they appreciate the inestimable value of a day, this day, not the next day, but this day, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/positive-thinkers-get-positive-results-because-they-appreciate-the/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [It takes struggle, a goal and enthusiasm to make a champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-takes-struggle-a-goal-and-enthusiasm-to-make-a-champion/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [“Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.” JOB 22:21”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/submit-to-god-and-be-at-peace-with-him-in-this-way-prosperity-will/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Scatter good will and love and prayers all around, everywhere, and you will be astonished, not only by what it does for other people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/scatter-good-will-and-love-and-prayers-all-around-everywhere-and-you/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Stand up to an obstacle. Just stand up to it, that's all, and don't give way under it, and it will finally break. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/stand-up-to-an-obstacle-just-stand-up-to-it-that-s-all-and-don-t-give/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Never allow sick attitudes to poison your thinking, nor let ill will make you ill. Avoid making your mind sore by that painful rehurting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/never-allow-sick-attitudes-to-poison-your-thinking-nor-let-ill-will/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [“How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself – so always think positively. Believe it is possible to solve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/how-you-think-about-a-problem-is-more-important-than-the-problem/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Explore all 487 Norman Vincent Peale quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) ## More Circumstances quotes > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. The real cause of all problems lie in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/jobs-and-money-are-never-the-primary-cause-of-stress-thinking/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found, at last, to be of our own producing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/the-fortunate-circumstances-of-our-lives-are-generally-found-at-last/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [“The set of circumstances that justifies the use of deadly force is a situation of immediate danger of death or great bodily harm to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/massad-ayoob/the-set-of-circumstances-that-justifies-the-use-of-deadly-force-is-a/) [Massad Ayoob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/massad-ayoob/) > [My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/my-sister-in-law-works-for-a-group-that-supports-orphanages-in-cairo/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [It's impossible to know who Donald might have been under different circumstances and with different parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-l-trump/it-s-impossible-to-know-who-donald-might-have-been-under-different/) [Mary L. Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-l-trump/) > [When we watch a play under the standard circumstances, we've lost volition and time is passing. A still play feels like an existential threat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-greenberg/when-we-watch-a-play-under-the-standard-circumstances-we-ve-lost/) [Richard Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-greenberg/) > [Being positive helps you to keep away negative thoughts. And helps you to stand in adverse circumstances with the hope that in the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/being-positive-helps-you-to-keep-away-negative-thoughts-and-helps-you/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [It seemed to me that the human beings I met reacted pretty much the same to the same stimuli. Different idioms,yes. Circumstances and conditions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/it-seemed-to-me-that-the-human-beings-i-met-reacted-pretty-much-the/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [I don't think you would have missed that putt, but in these circumstances, I would never give you the opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicklaus/i-don-t-think-you-would-have-missed-that-putt-but-in-these/) [Jack Nicklaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicklaus/) > [I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me, but now I know Jesus uses circumstances to shape me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circumstances-around-me-but-now-i/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Instead of complaining about your circumstances, get busy creating new ones. You either suffer the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-complaining-about-your-circumstances-get-busy-creating-new/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) Browse all 4,560 Circumstances quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The world in which you live is not primarily determined by outward conditions and circumstances but by the thoughts that habitually occupy your mind.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Norman Vincent Peale" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/the-world-in-which-you-live-is-not-primarily-determined-by-outward/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Circumstances" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/the-world-in-which-you-live-is-not-primarily-determined-by-outward/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c8/norman-vincent-peale-539_circumstances_the-world-in-which-you-live-is-not-prima_974764.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c8/norman-vincent-peale-539_circumstances_the-world-in-which-you-live-is-not-prima_974764.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c8/norman-vincent-peale-539_circumstances_the-world-in-which-you-live-is-not-prima_974764.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The world in which you live is not primarily determined by outward conditions and circumstances but by the…” — Norman Vincent Peale", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Norman Vincent Peale", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The world in which you live...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/the-world-in-which-you-live-is-not-primarily-determined-by-outward/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/the-world-in-which-you-live-is-not-primarily-determined-by-outward/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```