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Noble Purpose: Joy Of Living A Meaningful Life Hardcover – September 25, 2003

by William Bill Damon (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 31 ratings
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This book describes the personal and spiritual benefits of living life in a way that matters, with an awareness that one's life can reflect a sense of higher purpose no matter what the circumstances. The book draws upon religious, philosophical, and literary writings to show how humans in many cultures and historical epochs have pursued noble purposes by answering God's call as each hears it.

Noble purpose can be pursued both in heroic acts and in everyday behavior. The book shows how ordinary people—teachers, business professionals, parents, citizens—can ennoble what they do by being mindful of its deepest meaning. It also points out that humility is a necessary virtue for those who pursue a noble purpose. Great heroes are bold, courageous, and sometimes audacious in their determination to succeed; but they are also humble in their awareness of their own limitations. Moreover, a person must never violate basic moral laws while pursuing a noble purpose—the means must be as moral as the ends.

Purpose brings coherence and satisfaction to people's lives, producing joy in good times and resilience in hard times. It also presents a paradox: hard work in service of noble purpose that transcends personal gain is a surer path to happiness than the self-indulgent pursuit of happiness for its own sake. The closer we come to God's purpose for us, the more satisfied our lives become.

From the inspiration and examples conveyed in this book, we learn that all individuals have the capacity to discover their own God-given abilities, to learn the world's need for the services they can provide, and to experience joy in serving society and God in their special ways. As theologian Frederick Buechner writes, "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    128 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Templeton Press
  4. Publication date
    September 25, 2003
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.6 x 9.13 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1932031545
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1932031546
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author



William Damon is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, the director of the Stanford Center on Adolescence, and a professor of education at Stanford University. Before coming to Stanford in 1997, Damon was a professor of education and university professor at Brown University, where he continues to hold an appointment as an adjunct professor of human development. Damon received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and his PhD in developmental psychology from the University of California, Berkeley. He is the author or editor of numerous books, including The Moral Child, Greater Expectations, and The Handbook of Child Psychology. He is married and has three children.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Templeton Press; First Edition, First Edition, First Edition, 1 (September 25, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1932031545
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1932031546
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.6 x 9.13 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 31 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
31 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Brian Johnson | Heroic
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a tiny little book that is incredibly inspiring.
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2016
Verified Purchase
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 “The examples above—cooking eggs, making golf putts, driving home through storms—are absorbing but transient experiences that people may engage in from time to time. But can you imagine living your whole life with that kind of focus? All of us have that choice. To live in this way means finding large-scale purposes that concentrate your talents, skills, thoughts, and energies in an enduring manner. It means finding something that you truly believe in, something so worth accomplishing that you dedicate yourself to it wholeheartedly, without qualm or self-interest. It means devoting yourself to a cause, or to many causes, that you consider noble purposes.”

~ William Damon from Noble Purpose

Noble purpose.

It’s all about “finding something that you truly believe in, something so worth accomplishing that you dedicate yourself to it wholeheartedly, without qualm or self-interest.”

Helping us discovering and live our noble purposes is, of course, what this book is all about.

I was introduced to William Damon and his work via Angela Duckworth’s Grit. William is one of the world’s leading scientists studying human development and the psychology of morality. <— Awesome.

I'm excited to share few of my favorite Big Ideas:

1. Noble vs. Heroic - Let's define noble purpose.
2. Ultimate Purpose Formula - What you love + What word needs.
3. Cultivating Noble Pupose - Nine Tips to rock it.
4. "Sic Transit Gloria" - All glory is fleeting. Stay humble.
5. True Happiness - Comes via character + purpose.

With love and gratitude for your support in helping me do my work as we strive together to optimize and actualize and give our gifts most fully to the world,

More goodness— including PhilosophersNotes on 300+ books in our ​*OPTIMIZE*​ membership program. Find out more at brianjohnson . me.
6 people found this helpful
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Albert Farthing
5.0 out of 5 stars This is one of my favourite books ever --it is very near my reach throughout ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2014
Verified Purchase
This is one of my favourite books ever --it is very near my reach throughout each day. It drives through to the very inner core of character, in a manner that is simple, direct, and non-intrusive. I have given away a lot of my treasured books over the years, but this one I will keep until the very end --and then it will be passed along. It is a treasure --
Al
2 people found this helpful
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uwmad1
3.0 out of 5 stars A Reminder Book
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2016
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Nothing particularly creative in content or construct. A daily desk calendar of quotables in book form. If you've got extra time, read it.
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Ken Robinson
4.0 out of 5 stars Like so many key terms in life meaning and purpose ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2016
Verified Purchase
Like so many key terms in life meaning and purpose are all familiar but difficult to define. I like the way the author defines the concept of a noble purpose.
One person found this helpful
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Lawrence Chiu
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2016
Verified Purchase
It provide practical principles and means to adolescents, young adults and even "mature adults" for finding their callings in work, community and nation.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Good lead to a deeper dives
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2017
Verified Purchase
Excellent reflection on the meaningful life, with great quotes drawn from diverse points of wisdom.
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James R. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and brilliant
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2015
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A beautifully written.book---deeply moving and meaningful!
One person found this helpful
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Mrs
5.0 out of 5 stars An easy read
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2018
I liked that this was written without fluff - no words to just fill the pages. It is practical and gives you ways to identify and choose your purpose. A great read for anyone! Especially those just passing through life.
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Top reviews from other countries

Girinathan Raman
4.0 out of 5 stars Good view on purpose of life
Reviewed in India on May 23, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is one of the simple book I read on a complex subject. This book touched upon some of the detailed topics on some of
the self development books. The missing element was more examples. Some success stories in detail as an annexure would have made more interesting book.
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