Og Mandino - The Greatest Salesman in the World

I will persist until I succeed.

I was not delivered into this world into defeat, nor does failure course in my veins. I am not a sheep waiting to be prodded by my shepherd. I am a lion and I refuse to talk, to walk, to sleep with the sheep.

The slaughterhouse of failure is not my destiny.

I will persist until I succeed.

From the ancient scroll marked III
in
THE GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD

This edition contains the complete text of the original hardcover edition.
NOT ONE WORD HAS BEEN OMITTED .

THE GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD
A Bantam Book / published by arrangement with Frederick Fell, Inc.

PUBLISHING HISTORY
Frederick Fell edition published January 1968
Bantam edition published March 1974
Bantam trade edition / February 1985

All rights reserved.
Copyright1968 by Og Mandino.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information address: Frederick Fell Publishers, Inc., 2131 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 204, Hollywood, FL 33020.

eISBN: 978-0-307-78090-4

Bantam Books are published by Bantam Books, a division of Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc. Its trademark, consisting of the words Bantam Books and the portrayal of a rooster, is Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. Marca Registrada. Bantam Books, New York, New York.

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THE GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD is one of the most inspiring, uplifting, and motivating books I have ever read. I can well understand why it has had such a splendid acceptance.

Norman Vincent Peale

At last! A book on sales and salesmanship that can be read and enjoyed by veteran and recruit alike! I have just completed THE GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD for the second timeit was too good for just one readingand in all sincerity, I say that it is the most readable, most constructive and most useful instrument for the teaching of sales as a profession that I have ever read.

F. W. Errigo, Manager
U.S. Sales Training
Parke, Davis & Company

I have read almost every book that has ever been written on salesmanship, but I think Og Mandino has captured all of them in THE GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD. No one who follows these principles will ever fail as a salesman, and no one will ever be truly great without them; but, the author has done more than present the principleshe has woven them into the fabric of one of the most fascinating stories I have ever read.

Paul J. Meyer, President
Success Motivation Institute. Inc.

Every sales manager should read THE GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD. It is a book to keep at the bedside, or on the living room tablea book to dip into as needed, to browse in now and then, to enjoy in small stimulating portions. It is a book for the hour and for the years, a book to turn to over and over again, as to a friend, a book of moral, spiritual and ethical guidance, an unfailing source of comfort and inspiration.

Lester J. Bradshaw, Jr.
Former Dean, Dale Carnegie Institute
of Effective Speaking & Human Relations

I was overwhelmed by THE GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD. It is, without doubt, the greatest and the most touching story I have ever read. It is so good that there are two musts that I would attach to it: First, you must not lay it down until you have finished it; and secondly, every individual who sells anything, and that includes us all, must read it.

Robert B. Hensley
President. Life Insurance Co. of Kentucky

Og Mandino provocatively prods your attention into fascination as he masterfully relates his story. THE GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD is a book with emotional appeal for millions.

Roy Garn, Executive Director
Emotional Appeal Institute

There are very few men who have the writing talent with which Og Mandino has been blessed. The thoughts contained in this book symbolize the importance of selling to the entire worlds existence.

Sol Polk, President
Polk Bros., Inc.

I have just finished the uninterrupted reading of THE GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD. The plot is original and ingenious. The style is interesting and fascinating. The message is moving and inspiring.

Every one of us is a salesman, no matter what his occupation or profession. Most of all, first he must sell himself to himself in order to find personal happiness and peace of mind. This book, if carefully read, absorbed and heeded, can help every one of us to be his best salesman.

Dr. Louis Binstock
Rabbi, Temple Sholom, Chicago

I like the story I like the style I like the book. Every salesman and members of his family should read it.

W. Clement Stone, President
Combined Insurance Co. of America

In my opinion, THE GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD by Og Mandino will become a classic. I have published hundreds of books over the years but Og Mandinos powerful message found a place in my innermost being. I am proud to be the publisher of this book.

Frederick V. Fell

Hafid lingered before the bronze mirror and studied his reflected image in the polished metal.

Only the eyes have retained their youth, he murmured as he turned away and moved slowly across the spacious marble floor. He passed between black onyx columns rising to support ceilings burnished with silver and gold and his aging legs carried him past tables carved from cyprus and ivory.

Tortoise shell gleamed from couches and divans and the walls, inlaid with gems, shimmered with brocades of the most painstaking design. Huge palms grew placidly in bronze vessels framing a fountain of alabaster nymphs while flower boxes, encrusted with gems, competed with their contents for attention. No visitor to Hafids palace could doubt that he was, indeed, a person of great wealth.

The old man passed through an enclosed garden and entered his warehouse which extended beyond the mansion for five hundred paces. Erasmus, his chief bookkeeper, waited uncertainly just beyond the entryway.

Greetings, sire.

Hafid nodded and continued on in silence. Erasmus followed, his face unable to disguise concern at the masters unusual request for a meeting in this place. Near the loading platforms Hafid paused to watch goods being removed from baggage wagons and counted into separate stalls.

There were wools, fine linens, parchment, honey, carpets, and oil from Asia Minor; glass, figs, nuts, and balsam from his own country; textiles and drugs from Palmyra; ginger, cinnamon, and precious stones from Arabia; corn, paper, granite, alabaster, and basalt from Egypt; tapestries from Babylon; paintings from Rome; and statues from Greece. The smell of balsam was heavy in the air and Hafids sensitive old nose detected the presence of sweet plums, apples, cheese, and ginger.

Finally he turned to Erasmus. Old friend, how much wealth is there now accumulated in our treasury?

Erasmus paled, Everything, master?

Everything.

I have not studied the numbers recently but I would estimate there is in excess of seven million gold talents.