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Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite
Do our belief systems imprison our minds and result in us losing our individuality? Pratesh John Mathew enters the debate with Diabolos Bible: Aphorisms on Individual Sovereignty. He believes that we are handed down sets of rules by our parents, teachers, and political and religious leaders. We are conditioned not to question the system, so it becomes self-regulating. All of this leaves us with a sense of futility, while spirituality is just another trap. The book is made up of concise but thought-provoking statements about the limitations we inherit, our allegiances, manners, the capitalist system, love, guilt, fear, and chance. Other topics and questions include the illusion of time, blind faith, what is truth, the notion of God and His anger, and who our real enemies are. The author notes that we tend to focus on what we hate, seeming to be addicted to conflict, instead of learning to love, deepening our connection with others, and embracing gratitude. We make fruitless comparisons that only serve to alienate us further. Some of the aphorisms explore other relevant topics such as friendship, longing, prejudice, our attitude to work, and what constitutes success, concluding that the rules need to be dismantled.
Pratesh John Mathew points out that the rules of the game have been established by those in control. Each aphorism is presented on its own page, inviting a pause for individual contemplation. Collectively, they reveal a disturbing pattern of a society governed by conventions, not controlled by the individual, who is trapped by fear. He recommends that readers learn to flow like a river and banish false perceptions, avoiding overanalysis. He questions whether we need a reason to be happy, noting that feelings are about experience, not words. To be free, you have to make your own choices and discover what money actually buys. Choice is the only tool we have, but that requires thought. At times, the ego limits us. This second edition features ten chapters that group pertinent quotes by the author, which show remarkable insight into the human condition and how it has been manipulated to curb personal freedom. The tone is philosophical, yet this is neither a religious text nor a self-help book. Diabolos Bible encourages readers to break free and reclaim their individuality, and in this, it is highly successful.