How to Stop Worrying and Start Living

Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809 in a log cabin in Kentucky. Despite his humble origins, he became the 16th president of the United States. Lincoln served as president from 1861 until he was assassinated in 1865. His strong leadership during the American Civil War was driven by a dedication to preserving the Union and abolishing slavery. Due to the beliefs he expressed in the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln’s name has become synonymous with the American values of equality, justice, and freedom.

Carnegie’s admiration for Abraham Lincoln was reflected in his biography of the former president, Lincoln the Unknown (1932). In How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, Lincoln is referenced on numerous occasions as an exemplar of many of the book’s principles. For example, Carnegie describes how Lincoln welcomed constructive criticism while remaining true to his ideals and conscience. Abraham Lincoln embodies wisdom and integrity in Carnegie’s text.

Born in 1873, Alexis Carrel was a Nobel Prize-winning French surgeon and biologist. Carrel’s commitment to scientific innovation led to significant advances in the field of medicine. He came to prominence through his groundbreaking work on organ transplantation. He also helped to develop an improved technique for treating and sterilizing wounds during World War I (the Carrel-Dakin method).

Carnegie refers to Carrel’s ideas and beliefs several times in How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. For example, Chapter 3 begins with a quote from Carrel: “Those who do not know how to fight worry die young” (37). Carrel’s observations on the damaging physiological effects of worry accord with one of the key messages of the book. Carnegie also points out that Carrel described prayer as a “powerful form of energy” (221) and believed in the transformative power of faith. Carnegie’s references to Carrel’s theories add weight to his own arguments, suggesting they have a solid grounding in science.

Benjamin Franklin receives multiple mentions in the book. Born in 1706, Franklin was a writer, philosopher, scientist, inventor, book publisher, and statesman. Considered to be one of the most learned men of his era, he was a founding father of the United States. He also notably co-drafted and signed the Declaration of Independence. Like Abraham Lincoln, Franklin is an inspirational figure in the book, epitomizing good sense. Carnegie emphasizes, in particular, how Franklin cultivated self-knowledge, viewing mistakes as an opportunity for growth—a practice promoted in the book. Franklin’s method of conquering worry is one of the 31 case studies at the end of the book. His technique, which involved making a list of pros and cons before making a decision, resembles Carnegie’s advice on writing down and analyzing worries.

James (1842-1910) was a renowned American philosopher and psychologist. Due to his groundbreaking theories on the workings of the human mind, he is considered a founder of modern psychology. Throughout How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, Carnegie draws parallels between his own arguments and the James’s theories. Like Carnegie, James emphasized the importance of cooperating with the inevitable, stating that “[a]cceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune” (99). He also argued that psychological issues such as anxiety manifest in physical symptoms. Like Carnegie, James believed in the power of a positive mindset. His assertion that “[o]ur very infirmities help us unexpectedly” (182) accords with Carnegie’s depiction of adversity as a potential impetus for success. James also studied the beneficial effects of spirituality, concluding that “the sovereign cure for worry is religious faith” (207). The author’s many references to James throughout his text give greater authority to his arguments. Carnegie underlines that, while his concepts seem straightforward, they concur with the ideas of a respected academic source.