The concepts of this book are right on the money. There were a few statements that I didn't quite agree with and at times it gets a little wordy, but it is a quick read. This book is an absolute "must read" for folks who tend to have a little too much drama in their lives and seem to be unable break away from it. If you live with, are related to, work with or manage people who fit this description, recommend this book -- better yet, buy it for them.

I've been reading through some of the reviews of this book, positive and negative. Of course there are lots of books out there about the same thing. Of course we've heard all this before. But personally, this book actually broke through and made sense to me. Like in those old cartoons where a light bulb turns on over your head. I read this book and it all made sense; I saw what I was doing, I looked at myself honestly and made real changes. I don't know what makes this book different from the others that tell you basically the same thing. I think, though, that it is its simplicity. Don't give people power over you. Not a lot of psychological studies, case histories and boring details. Just simple and honest advice. Take back the power. When people hurt you, you allow them to. You agree to it. Maybe this doesn't make sense to everyone. But this book changed my entire life view and I believe that it will do the same for anyone who reads it with an open mind and an honest vision of themselves.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is a very practical and eye-opening book. It teaches that by adopting the following four agreements: (1) Be Impeccable With Your Word, (2) Don't Take Anything Personally, (3) Don't Make Assumptions, and (4) Always Do Your Best, an ordinary life can be transformed into a magical one, filled with happiness, integrity and love. I was particularly inspired by the fourth agreement - "Always Do Your Best." Adopting that agreement supported me in being proactive in each moment of my life, regardless of the task at hand and regardless of the outcome. I felt alive and passionate even while doing activities I once thought were boring or mundane.

Another practical and inspiring approach to transformation can be found in the work of Ariel and Shya Kane. Their books: Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: A Book About Instantaneous Transformation; How To Create a Magical Relationship; and Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment, demonstrate how being present in your life, exactly as it is showing up, leads to satisfaction and well being. The touching stories shared by the Kanes are supportive of living a magical life, regardless of the circumstances, and without having to work on yourself. I highly recommend the Kanes' books and The Four Agreements for a simple and practical approach to transforming your life.

For anyone who beats themselves up, for what others think or say about them, who question the past, present and future of their lives, this book is a way to keep it all sane. Seems it worked for Alex of the Yankees and it you want it will work for you too!

Put down the other books, cancel your life coach session and buy this book. This is pretty much the basics of what you need to know about the rules of the road so to speak. Granted it's simple--but that's the beauty of it.
The Four Agreements are:
Be Impeccable With Your Word
Don't Take Anything Personally
Don't Make Assumptions
Always Do Your Best
Have you ever wished life came with some sort of instruction book? Well it doesn't but this is as close as anything I've seen. This is brilliant flashing insight.

I have read this book three times. I even used to carry a small version in my bookbag when i was in college. This time i ordered it for my fiance but i have been rereading it again too.

This was a big disappointment. It was recommended to me by a "personal coach" along with a few other books. The others were great and I enjoyed the different perspectives they brought.
This book, however, contained too much "new age mumbo-jumbo" for me. I tried my hardest to get past that and finish the book.
Unfortunately, I hit the wall about halfway through.

Any New Age 'Old Duffer' will find this book overly simplistic and not very satisfying. But, if every one on the planet could just follow these 4 simple behavioral models, we'd have a lovely world and our Earth Mother could stop crying. As one of the reviewers said, the concepts are not new. Neither is the Golden Rule but not enough people follow that one either. I feel it's an easy-to-read Primer for pursuing a spiritual path if you're just starting out. It's also nice to get back too when life throws too many spitballs at you and you're getting cranky. Beautiful concepts to teach kids if you truly walk the talk.

Buy this book. Read it over and over. Buy more copies to give to your friends, your children, all who matter to you. It is that important.

As an organizational psychology professional, this book has been a very critical piece of my success. I used it in graduate school and it opened my eyes to a whole new way of viewing my interactions and conversations with people. I have always felt that I was good with people, but this book helped me to understand that it's not all about me, but it could be about something another person is dealing with, at the time we interact. It was definitely a huge eye opener for me in working in the corporate sector, and I would highly recommend it for anyone to read!!!

This book is way too simplistic for anyone who has done any work on their spiritual progress. Maybe it will help someone who is completely new to this subject. If you want to go further and really work on deeper issues and expansion of awareness I would recommend the Castaneda series and The Art of Stalking Parallel Perception: The Living Tapestry of Lujan Matus.

The four agreements are simple, and, yes, obvious. What's not so obvious is what they *do*. They keep you from receding back into the Dream, back into dealing with the *story* you have in your head about the world and the other people who are in it. These are tools to keep you awake, to remind you that other people have stories in their heads about *you*, too, and most likely their actions are a result of reacting to that story and not to the actual you. The four agreements help to disentangle the drama and hurt of day-to-day life, to stalk out the lies that we tell ourselves about what is happening to us and around us. Read some of the one- and two-star reviews to see perfect examples of what Ruiz calls people who are caught in their dreams and unable to engage the observer, unable to relate to the world as it is.

I liked reading this book and feel as if there is definitely some truth to it - practice these four agreements and you will live a better life. However it's also harder than it looks! I printed out the four agreements and keep them in my wallet - and try really hard to own it. I'm also reading a New Earth which I feel has some similarities so I feel like I'm on my way to a better me! :)

I've read the book before, and bought the CDs because I wanted to listen to them on the way in to work. It's a great way to start the day and keep the principles of the book in the forefront of my mind. The narration is fairly well done, and the pace is just right.

I was compelled to pick up this book a few years ago at a bookstore without knowing anything about it at all, and I rarely purchase books. I didn't know why then but after I read it I knew why. No book has inspired me or taught me like this one. I have referred back to it many times over the years. This, along, with "The Mastery of Love" by the same author have been such a positive changing force in my life that I am forever grateful for stumbling on them.

This book is a good read. The four agreements are very, very useful for anyone. There is a spiritual underlying theme, but if you are not religious, like I am not....just take the jewels from the book and disregard the rest.

I strongly recommend this book to everyone. I believe, everyone and I mean everyone in the world should read this book. If everyone did the four agreements, there would be a lot less conflict in the world.

The book is disappointing on many levels. If your life is so shallow that you need to hear some of the common sense and simple views in this book, you are already in trouble. You could learn more from Buddha and Jesus of Nazareth.

And what is this garbage about Toltec wisdom? The Toltecs were an extremely aggressive and expansionistic society in MesoAmerican history. Although they left a number of monuments and numerous glyphs at cities like Chitzen Itza (which is as Mayan as Toltec), they were hardly peace-loving group from whom I would draw deep wisdom for everyday life.

May I suggest probing through Zen Buddhism for more enlightenment or the Gospel accounts associated with Jesus of Nazareth. I have found far more richness and depth.

If you are bent on being "free" in your "spirit" and making your own morality and rules then maybe you should read Nietzsche for that line of absurdity. At least, he has more intellectual prowess to offer. Again, this is a book does not offer any new, deep, spiritual wisdom. Indeed, it's just a simple read on four dynamics that you might agree with in a world without restraint. Sorry, this does not measure up to anything astounding.

I wish I had read this book years ago. Life would not have been so hard to live.

As a trainer and professional writer, I can't tell you how powerful this little book is. If you really want to change the outcome of your life, read this book. The four agreements are simple, yet profoundly challenging. If more people followed the Four Agreements, we'd live in a near paradise....
Thank you, Mr. Ruiz, for a magnificent contribution of intellect, vision and information.... I use this book regularly and refer to it often. For a small book, it carries a massively important message that can help the reader towards attaining personal growth, personal integrity and real authenticity in this lifetime.

Don Miguel's The Four Agreements is a life-altering book. Every person I know in business should read this book and adopt the philosophies at home and in work. I have recommended this book to lawyers, advertising and marketing agency executives, accountants, public relations practitioners, publicists, women in business and so many others. It's a refreshing view of how we can live our lives more fully, achieve personal and professional success, and love ourselves and others in a perpetual state of awareness and growing wisdom.

The book is well criticized in many of the 1-star reviews so I won't repeat the valid points made there but just add to the numbers.

I am shocked that I actually bought this book - but there it is in my order history, bought from Amazon in late 2004. My age at the time (28 :-) ) does not justify this choice and I can only hope that it was a "people who bought this also bought" inspiration after putting Csikszentmihalyi's "Flow" into my cart.

On the upside, I don't have any friends or relatives to think less of for giving it to me as a gift. And this teaches me to never ever trust the average ratings on Amazon again but always to check for very low ratings.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is awesome! I actually read the sequel "The Mastery of Love" first and loved that book, so it's no surprise that "The Four Agreements" made just as deep an impression on me as it did.

Ruiz's agreements are a small but incredibly useful set of "rules-to-live-by" that when used can revolutionize one's life! For example, the act of just being impeccable with my word made such a big difference for me. I told someone I would go to an event but felt
like giving an excuse and not going. However, my better side won out and I stayed the course, kept my word and had the most marvelous time! Also, a few things neatly resolved themselves while I was away. If I hadn't left the house, I would have just sat at home and sulked about the situation. The universe does indeed provide!

Other authors I highly recommend are Ariel & Shya Kane who have written Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment, and Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: A Book About Instantaneous Transformation. The Kanes also have a few simple principles that when applied can shift your life dramatically. Their books belong on every spiritual seekers' bookshelf!

This book is lovely written and broken down easily. This is a book that you can give to a child or to an elderly person. It's very easy to read! If you're interested in living a better life this is a good way to start. The agreements have opened my eyes to see how we are; and I quote from the book "domesticated!". I like that word because it puts into prospect how much work is needed for you to be free-minded and the author shows how you can acheive that freedom. Overall excellent book!!

One of my favorite gifts for those I love is The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, A Toltec Wisdom Book, Don Miguel Ruiz's wonderful guide for living. These simple agreements: be impeccable, don't take things personally, don't make assumptions and do your best are framed by a bounty of common sense thoughts that help you to understand how your life actually works. Over the years I've given copies of this little treasure to my wife and to each of my children and to several others who I have considered to be special from time to time. 'Agreements' is just 150 short pages and if you are like me, you will pick it up again and again to ponder those snippets of simple wisdom that pop out at you. It adds for you a new dimension to peaceful contemplation and I highly recommend that everyone pick up a personal copy to read.

I absolutely adored this book!
Don't be decieved by the simplicity of the wisdom presented in this book; when a friend first introuced me to his teachings - the 4 rules seemed too simple...but once I started working with them and trying to apply one a day, or one at work..etc. I really started to realise the power of the four agreements.
This book is a must-read for anyone who has realised that they have certain beliefs or 'agreements', in their head that they feel no longer serve them or limit them in some way.
As an artist, I have long held onto many self limiting ideas about my potential as an artist as a by-product of having a non-artistic and conservative family. I believe that many people, indeed most people, have probably taken on other peoples beliefs that have limited them similarly. I'm not saying that its easy to let go of these beliefs, but I promise that if you try it does get easier. I also realised that choosing your own beliefs and thoughts in life, doesn't mean giving up relationships or hurting people you love.

It hurts to realise that the critical voice in your head that has encouraged you to take things personally and make assumptions your whole life (that you have trusted) has not been a trust worthy voice, but it is worth it, to let go and become free.
I'm not saying that this book is for everyone, but I do believe that it has the power to help many!!

I must be getting cynical in my old age, but I just can't accept this as anything more than four bits of common sense advice (like "Always Do Your Best") couched in a lot of New Age gobblygook. Don't get me wrong -- I **AM** a "new thought" believer and have a large collection of New Age spirituality and self help books, but this one is all hype and no substance.

And sorry, but if the author is the chosen transmitter of ancient Toltec wisom, then I'm a Vestal Virgin. Be sure to buy my book on ancient Eqyptian wisdom (Rule one: Never kill a hippo on the Nile). Just $14.00, as seen on Ophra.

I loved this book and have used the four agreements with great results in my life. I, therefore, bought it for my three daughters.

Practiccal, down to earth, applicable, efficient and philosophical advices on habits to follow to live a life with less worries. Recommended.

This book has helped my relationships and my general outlook on life. It has given me peace. What more can you ask? I really love the audio versions.

I was so happy with this book I read it in a day. A brief summary: Everything in existence is a manisfestation of the one living being we call God. We are beings of pure love and light. Because our upbringing involved pain for not following the rules of society and reward when we did follow the rules, our goal in life became looking for approval of others and avoiding the pain of not following the rules. These rules are the agreements we live by, not by choice but by conditioning. To break free of the dream world we live in, we must throw out all the rules we've been taught and must live by the four new agreements: speaking with integrity only telling the truth and not gossiping; not taking anything personally because the only truth is that we are pure love and anything other than that is not the truth; not making assumptions or even worse making judgments based on those assumptions--instead asking questions in order to learn the real truth; always doing our best--no more, no less--in any situation. By following these new agreements, and the many other important ideas presented in this book, you will obtain personal freedom and control over your life and happiness.

Even based on contemporary standards, this common sense based pamphlet is undeserving of "Book" classification. The wisdom contained herein could have been communicated in two paragraphs. Read it at the library or your local bookstore. You can do so in 25 minutes. There is nothing in here that is new or revealing - if you were raised to be courteous, you already know the "secrets" anyway. A rip-off of monumental proportions. Reminds me of when the Beatles traveled far to meet with the Maharishi. Like wow dude, look at how cool we are, we are spiritual and on, like a different plane man.

I'm glad that I found this book - it's a quick read that could easily be done in one sitting, and can (and should) be read over and over again.
"The Four Agreements' provides very useful advice. True...it is common sense, but we easily forget the things that seem so basic and this leads to stress and problems.
The four basic pieces of advice from the book are: Be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions, and always do your best. I tend to have a particularly hard time remembering to do the second two things (don't take anything personally and don't make assumptions), so these two chapters really resonated with me.
Great book - the author presents the four basic principles (or, agreements) in a way that makes a lot of sense.

This book is just a pleasure to read and is done before you know it. Although you will find yourself pausing in introspection often. If you are looking for some clarity in your life and a little spirituality this is the book for you.

There are four main portions to this book. If you are enjoying this book, after getting through the first two sections I recommend buying the companion book. Its literally called the Four Agreements Companion book.

I highly, highly recommend this simple, blissful book! For anyone who is looking for the peace of well-being or (dare we say it) enlightenment, I can think of few other entry-points as clear and immediately accessible as this wonderful little volume. The Four Agreements are the distilled wisdoms of the Ancient Toltecs, a society of native Central Americans. Their Way of Being, uncomplicated by the fog of everyday life and stress (called mitote), is founded on recognizing how the patterns we succumb to every day are actually agreements we have made with ourselves and our cultures, and that there is a new possibility: the breaking of those old agreements and replacing them with new, life-affirming agreements! It is written in a clear, caring voice, by modern-day Toltec sage Don Miguel Ruiz.

If you like this book, I also recommend the fundamentally practical approach to well-being available in the books of Ariel and Shya Kane: Working on Yourself Doesn't Work, How to Create a Magical Relationship, and Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment. I was reminded of the Kanes' teachings so many times throughout The Four Agreements! In much the same way as the Ancient Toltecs, Ariel and Shya look at past agreements, which they call "habitual mechanics", and through three simple principles (including not resisting and allowing what is to be), look at dissolving those old cultural agreements that keep us living diminished lives.

The Four Agreements are a recipe for the Complete, Fulfilled Life you know is possible. They are practical and down-to-earth, and even if they didn't lead to the enlightened bliss of everyday well-being I am sure you would agree they are essential guideposts for modern conscious conduct. Four Stars!

This is a wonderful book to give to those asking for a simple understanding of what spirituality is all about!

Should be required reading for everyone that walks, talks, or communicates. The principals here are simple, effective and have done wonders for our home business. Another book about love ISI Love You. Now What?: Falling in Love is a Mystery, Keeping It Isn't

The Toltec philosophy is that everything is a dream as seen from each person's point of view. Our internal "judge" responds to external societal/governmental forces even if they conflict with our own personal values. The only reason people follow rules are because society's collective dream has been learned by all. This may however conflict with our internal self. We are not free because we have learned the word "no."

After the strange beginning, this book settles down to cover principles that everyone can understand and are probably already familiar with. The four agreements can be used as effective teaching points in customer service training.

Nice point -- attached bookmark ribbon. Why don't more books have this?

This is a precious little book. Full of insight and guidance for paece in your life. I highly recommend.

The Four Agreements is a little book that everyone should carry around in their back pocket. I have bought this book for several people and will continue to give it out. Living by the principles of Don Miguel Ruiz's wisdom is a gift to world and very helpful in all communities. Thank you.

This book will motivate the reader. You will think about your past, then you will notice how your past affects the present, and you will use that knowledge to change your future! Excellent read. Sometimes a book will come along that moves you so much that you want to read it over and over again. This is one of those books. Read it, then read it again. If you are seeking then you shall find.

I purchased this book several ago, after seeing it on Oprah and what a great book. In my opinion its the only book you will ever need (with the exception of the bible). Its a life changing book, that really hits you at the core of who and what you are as a human being. The most challenging agreement for me is making assumptions. I am still working on that one, but with the help of this book and the bible, I have come a long way.

I have purchased many self-help books over the years, to guide me in my life choices, trials and tribulations, accomplishments, etc., but after one day of reading this book, I knew I found what I needed to help me with my quest for spiritual satisfaction and fulfillment. The 4 agreements and the bible work hand in hand for me.

Thank you so much Mr. Ruiz for this wonderful book.

Reading this book is like sitting down with a wise old guru and listening to him for a few hours just taking in his wisdom. The language is simple but accurate. While a lot of what he's telling us is common sense, it's a lot of common sense in one little book and it deals you with a blow of profound truth. I enjoyed reading it and as soon as I finished it, I started over again in case I missed something. It helps to refer to it every once and a while so I keep it handy. One thing I might change about the book is to offer a few more examples of how the agreements can be applied to real life situations. But I have found myself thinking of the agreements and trying to apply them in almost everything I do now.

The key word in this book title is "Practical." The four agreements, written in 4 short paragraphs, expand and grow in the book, providing depth of thought, meditative peace, and practical use at every point. Easy to read, I can pick up the book for a few minutes, an hour, or an afternoon, and come away with a positive approach to the day's challenges, be they big or small.

I have to say that this little book has changed my life. It has slowed me down and helped me to quiet my mind when encountering stress, then remembering the four agreements helps me put those stressful events in proper perspective. I read and reread this book, then went through and underlined the lines that spoke to me personally. Amazing!

I think this book should be a mandatory bookto read in school. It is mindopening, freeing, uplifting and inspiring. If every person reading this book would take to heart and mind, and then put into practice and live by it, the world would be a different place. Depression could be a thing of the past. This is the best book I have read, it is so easy and simple, but that's the point. We complicate our lifes by thinking any other way. It's the secret in ACTION.
I gave this book to many people and friends and they were all thankfulfor receiving it.

How do you feel when you awaken each morning? Does your life have you feeling like a prisoner? Does everything feel out of control and inescapable? Are you going from day to day doing what you "have" to do instead of what you "want" to do? If so, you are a PRISONER indeed.

Get ready to arm yourself with the weapons you need to escape!
1. Be Impeccable with your word
2. Don't take anything personally
3. Don't make assumptions
4. Always do your best

These are the four agreements that Don Miguel Ruiz explain that will help you transcend your living "HELL." He explains how adopting these agreements will rid you of the poison that has been injected into your life over the years. This poison is what keeps you from functioning optimally.

Sounds simple, uh? Well, isn't it funny how simple these agreements sound but so many people have a problem honoring them? It's evident that most people do not honor these agreements. because misery is prevalent in this world. Don Miguel Ruiz clearly explains what each agreement entails, how it poisons your life if you don't follow them and what it means to honor each agreement. He goes in depth into how essential making these agreements are to living a joyous life. He goes DEEP!

Don Miguel Ruiz writes about gossiping, abuse, judgements and so much more. This book is definitely a weapon to use to fight for your personal freedom!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

May be the essence of what you will read in this book could sound familiar to you depending if you had previously read books on oriental philosophy or written by Carlos Castañeda, but what is valuable about the "Four Agreements" and the other books by Don Miguel Ruiz is the simple way he uses to describe a new guide that people can put into practice to make easy the way of life in this complicated modern times. If you use the four agreement, your inner life could improve, despite the author recognizes that to apply the agreements all the time in your daily life could be difficult, what it is important is to have in mind all the principles. The author uses practical examples to describe the agreements that has a lot of sense. I totally recommend this book and the others written by this author.

My therapist recommended this and after listening to the audiobook only one time, I have already noticed a difference. It's especially helpful for people (like me) who take everything personally (the second agreement). I have dreaded the holidays for years because of an ongoing fight that my inlaws have with each other. It doesn't involve me but I always felt their pain, maybe even more than they did. This year, I just felt sorry for them (and kind of tired of hearing about it). The four agreements are a lot to take in at once but I believe they are all important and I plan to incorporate them into my life.

This book is easy to read and takes a few hours. The wisdom is something we probably all know inside ourselves. I was saying "yes, I know that" all the way through. It is not simple to put into practice since I have some bad habits but it calls attention to the places where I am out of alignment with myself and others and for that I read the book over and over to keep reminding me of it's truth.

The Four Agreements is one of those books you'll want to read over and over again. The agreements themselves are pretty straight forward:
1 - Be impeccable with your word (i.e. speak with integrity)
2 - Don't take anything personally
3 - Don't make assumptions
4 - Always do your best

It's the kind of advice our parents give us when we're very small. But few of us go on to live our lives that way. Don Miguel Ruiz explains that the reason life is so difficult is because it is ruled by fear. If we would instead practice unconditional love, life would be much happier.

Some key points regarding each of the 4 agreements are:

First, that the truth is the most important part of being impeccable with your word. Only the truth can set you free.

Second, that when you take things personally it is an expression of selfishness because it means you're making the assumption that "it's all about me." Nothing other people do is because of you; it's because of themselves.

Third, the problem with making assumptions is that we believe they are the truth. It's better to ask questions than make assumptions, because making assumptions just sets us up for suffering.

Fourth, if you always do your best in any circumstance, then you don't have to judge yourself. Regardless of the results of your actions, you won't have to judge yourself because you'll know you did your best.

Finally, as with his book, Mastery of Love, Ruiz ends the book with prayers. There's a prayer for freedom and a prayer for love, which is a great way to end a book!