Norman Vincent Peale published it in 1952, and it stayed on the bestseller lists for years. It is one of the most widely sold books in American publishing history. The title is an argument: that thinking has power, and that the direction of the thinking determines what follows.
theology
Sunday rest
Die Sonn- und Feiertagsruhe. Section 9 of the Working Hours Act prohibits work on Sundays and public holidays as a general rule, with exceptions for healthcare, transport, hospitality, emergency services and media. The protection of Sunday is not a workplace policy. It is a general prohibition with specific carve-outs, and the carve-outs have to be justified.
Dignity of Work
About the dignity of work and the rights of workers the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops writes:
„The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected: the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.“
virtue and effort
The Protestant work ethic, brought to America by early Puritans and other settlers, reinforced the idea that hard work and economic success are signs of divine favor. This theological perspective aligns closely with capitalist ideals, suggesting that market success is a reflection of personal virtue and effort. Consequently, prices determined by the market are perceived as just rewards for one’s labor and entrepreneurial skill, rather than as fixed, objective values.
Aquinas + Luther
The Protestant work ethic, closely associated with German culture, advocates for hard work, honesty, and fair dealing. These values stem from the teachings of Martin Luther and other Protestant reformers who emphasized ethical conduct in economic transactions. The concept of the just price can be traced to medieval Christian doctrines, particularly those of Thomas Aquinas, who argued that a fair price is one that reflects the true value of labor and materials, without exploiting either party. This theological perspective persists in German culture, where business transactions are often framed as moral agreements, requiring that prices be justified by objective criteria rather than market manipulation.