The Science of Getting Rich

Wallace D. Wattles | Summary | Wealth & Success

Explore The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles and learn how to attract financial abundance. 

Read the book summary today to master the science of getting rich.

Wallace D. Wattles' 1910 book, "The Science of Getting Rich," is a self-help book focused on the idea that anyone can achieve wealth through a scientific approach. The book outlines a detailed plan based on the premise that wealth is a result of aligning one's thoughts and actions with a specific set of principles. These principles include forming a clear mental image of desired wealth, holding steadfast faith and purpose, and practicing gratitude, all while acting efficiently in one's current circumstances.

Main Themes

• The Right to Be Rich: Wattles argues everyone has an inherent right to be rich to live a full and successful life. He defines true wealth as having all the resources needed for complete mental, spiritual, and physical development.
• The Science of Getting Rich: Getting rich is presented as an exact science, governed by specific laws. Following these principles with unwavering faith and action guarantees wealth.
• Thought as Creative Power: Thought is the primary force for creating riches from the "Formless Substance." By holding clear mental images of desired outcomes, individuals can set the creative process in motion.
• Gratitude and Belief as Essential Components: Gratitude aligns individuals with the universal creative energy, while unwavering belief in the realization of their vision is crucial for attracting wealth.
• Action as the Complement to Thought: While thought sets the creative process in motion, right action is needed to receive and manifest wealth. This includes performing present actions efficiently and always striving for advancement.

Most Important Ideas and Facts

• There is a thinking substance from which all things are made: This substance permeates the universe and responds to thoughts, taking the form of the thought impressed upon it.
• Man can form things in his thought, and by impressing his thought upon formless substance, can cause the thing he thinks about to be created: This is the fundamental principle of creative thought, requiring a shift from a competitive mindset to a creative one.
• Poverty is an illusion; there is only abundance: This shift in perception is crucial for attracting wealth.
• Gratitude is essential for maintaining a connection to the source of wealth and attracting more abundance:

"The more gratefully we fix our minds on the Supreme when good things come to us, the more good things we will receive, and the more rapidly they will come."

• Individuals must live and act in a Certain Way to receive the riches they desire: This includes:
• Holding a clear mental image of their desired outcome.
• Maintaining unwavering faith and purpose.
• Acting efficiently in the present, striving for continuous advancement.
• Impressing others with the idea of increase in all their interactions.
• Avoiding negative thoughts and limiting beliefs is paramount: Fear, doubt, worry, and pessimism hinder the creative process.
• Focusing on solutions and ignoring poverty is essential: Studying poverty only perpetuates it. Inspiring the poor to believe in their ability to get rich is the true solution.
• The desire for power over others is detrimental to the creative process: A genuine desire for the well-being of all is crucial for attracting wealth.

Key Quotes

"Whatever may be said in praise of poverty, the fact remains that it is not possible to live a really complete or successful life unless one is rich."

"There is a Science of getting rich, and it is an exact science, like algebra or arithmetic."

"Thought is the only power which can produce tangible riches from the Formless Substance."

"You must get rid of the thought of competition. You are to create, not to compete for what is already created."

"Believe that ye receive them."

"Every day is either a successful day or a day of failure; and it is the successful days which get you what you want."

"Do, every day, ALL that can be done that day."

"The men and women who practice the foregoing instructions will certainly get rich; and the riches they receive will be in exact proportion to the definiteness of their vision, the fixity of their purpose, the steadiness of their faith, and the depth of their gratitude."

 Brief Presentation

Preface

• A Note From Rhonda Byrne: Introduces “The Science of Getting Rich” by Wallace D. Wattles, highlighting its transformative power and emphasizing the universality of wealth creation principles.
• Wattles' Preface: Outlines the book's practical and pragmatic nature, focusing on actionable steps for acquiring wealth. Briefly touches upon the monistic theory of the universe as the philosophical foundation.

Part 1: Understanding Wealth

• The Right to be Rich: Establishes the importance of wealth for complete self-development and societal contribution, arguing that desiring riches is natural and commendable.
• There is a Science of Getting Rich: Introduces the concept of specific actions leading to wealth acquisition, independent of talent, environment, or savings, asserting that getting rich is an exact science with learnable laws.
• Is Opportunity Monopolized?: Dispels the myth of limited opportunity, illustrating that abundant resources and evolving industries offer various paths to wealth, particularly in agriculture and related fields.
• The First Principle in the Science of Getting Rich: Details the creative power of thought, explaining how thoughts impressed upon the Formless Substance manifest into tangible realities. Emphasizes the need to believe in this creative power as the foundation of wealth creation.

Part 2: Aligning with Creative Power

• Increasing Life: Shifts the perspective away from a deity enforcing poverty, asserting that the Intelligent Substance desires increased life for all and wants individuals to be rich for greater self-expression.
• How Riches Come to You: Advocates for a value-driven approach to business, where transactions benefit both parties, ensuring everyone receives more than they give in terms of use value.
• Gratitude: Explains the importance of gratitude in aligning oneself with the creative energies of the universe. Gratitude fosters a positive mental state, attracts good things, strengthens faith, and facilitates the receiving of wealth.

Part 3: The Mental and Physical Work

• Thinking in the Certain Way: Instructs on forming a clear and definite mental picture of desired wealth and holding onto this vision with unwavering focus, akin to a sailor navigating towards a port.
• How to Use the Will: Clarifies the correct application of willpower in wealth creation, emphasizing its use in controlling one's thoughts and actions towards the desired outcome, rather than attempting to manipulate external forces.
• Further Use of the Will: Advises against dwelling on negative experiences or conflicting theories, advocating for a singular focus on positive visions of wealth and personal advancement.
• Acting in the Certain Way: Stresses the importance of supplementing thought with action, explaining that while thought attracts wealth, action is required to receive and manage it.
• Efficient Action: Advocates for efficient action, focusing on quality over quantity. Every act should be infused with the vision and belief of success, contributing to the cumulative momentum towards wealth.

Part 4: Putting Principles into Practice

• Getting into the Right Business: Explores the significance of talent and passion in choosing a vocation, while emphasizing that success is ultimately determined by using mental faculties effectively.
• The Impression of Increase: Underscores the need to project an impression of increase in all interactions, inspiring others and attracting opportunities for mutual advancement.
• The Advancing Man: Explains how the principles apply universally to all professions, encouraging individuals to become "Advancing Men" within their fields by embodying the principles of growth and prosperity.
• Some Cautions, and Concluding Observations: Offers guidance on avoiding common pitfalls like fear, doubt, and negativity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining faith, gratitude, and a positive outlook.

Part 5: The Concise Guide

• Summary of the Science of Getting Rich: Provides a concise summary of the core principles of wealth creation, highlighting the importance of creative thought, gratitude, faith, purposeful action, and an unwavering belief in abundance.

Concluding Remarks

This briefing doc provides a high-level overview of the main themes and key ideas presented in “The Science of Getting Rich.” The book advocates for a creative and abundance-focused mindset combined with focused action as the guaranteed path to wealth. It stresses the power of thought, gratitude, and unwavering belief as essential components in the process.

Glossary of Key Terms

Certain Way: The specific approach to thinking and acting that aligns an individual with the creative principles of the universe, leading to the acquisition of wealth.

Formless Substance: The fundamental, formless, and intelligent "stuff" from which all things in the universe are made.

Thinking Substance: The Formless Substance, described as a conscious and responsive entity capable of being molded by thought.

Creative Mind: A state of mind characterized by abundance, faith, and the belief in unlimited possibilities, allowing individuals to tap into the creative power of the universe.

Competitive Mind: A mindset focused on scarcity, limitations, and the need to outdo others, hindering the manifestation of wealth.

Gratitude: A deep appreciation and thankfulness for the good things in one's life, which aligns the mind with the source of abundance.

Faith: Unshakable belief in the unseen and the certainty that one's desires are being fulfilled, even before they manifest in the physical realm.

Efficient Action: Performing each task with focused attention, purpose, and the intention of achieving success.

Advancing Man: An individual who embodies the principles of growth, progress, and the continuous seeking of improvement in all areas of life.

Impression of Increase: The idea that individuals should project an aura of success, growth, and abundance in all their interactions, attracting more opportunities and prosperity.