The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles

Preface

• Practical Manual: Aimed at those whose immediate need is for money.
• Faith-Based: Requires readers to accept fundamental concepts as they would accept scientific laws.
• Applicability: Guarantee of success if principles are followed.
• Philosophical Roots: Monistic theory (One is All and All is One); Western thinkers influenced include Descartes, Spinoza, Emerson.
• Clarity & Simplicity: Written to be easily understood and actionable.

Chapter I: The Right to be Rich

• Necessity of Wealth: Essential for the fullest development of body, mind, and soul.
• Possession of Things: Crucial for development, requiring money.
• Life’s Objective: Development is an inalienable right, implying a right to be rich.
• Richness Defined: Not figurative but actual; urge to have maximum potential.
• Condemnation of Poverty Satisfaction: Being content with less is considered sinful.
• Basic Needs:
  • Body: Requires good food, clothing, rest, recreation.
  • Mind: Requires books, intellectual companionship, aesthetic environment.
  • Soul: Requires love, best expressed through giving.
• Praiseworthiness: Desire for riches is natural and essential for serving God, humanity, and oneself.

Chapter II: There is a Science of Getting Rich

• Exact Science: Governed by certain laws resulting in inevitable riches when adhered to.
• Environment Not Limiting: Rich and poor coexist in the same conditions, proving it's about doing things a Certain Way.
• Talent Irrelevant: Both talented and untalented individuals can become rich.
• Thrift Not Essential: Saving alone doesn’t ensure riches.
• Action-Based: Key lies in doing things in a Certain Way with consistency.
• Access to Wealth: Riches are universally accessible regardless of one’s starting conditions.

Chapter III: Is Opportunity Monopolized?

• Unlimited Opportunity: Opportunities exist beyond monopolized sectors (e.g., emerging industries like aerial transportation).
• Agricultural Potential: Current trend favoring farming and allied industries.
• Universal Accessibility: Poverty due to lack of knowledge, not lack of opportunity.
• Formless Substance: Nature’s raw material is inexhaustible, enough for everyone’s needs.
• Life’s Pursuit: Constant creation driven by human need.

Chapter IV: The First Principle in the Science of Getting Rich

• Thought Power: Thought is the only force creating tangible wealth.
• Formless Substance: Universe’s raw material responds to thought.
• Human Role: Man’s thoughts can shape this formless substance into desired forms.
• Thinking Center: Man’s ability to think empowers creation.
• Sustained Thought: Holding thoughts of wealth and abundance over reality shapes outcomes.

Chapter V: Increasing Life

• Nature’s Increase: Life inherently moves toward self-expansion.
• Desire for Wealth: Reflects life's urge to express itself more fully.
• God’s Desire for Riches: God wants humans to be rich to express divine potential.
• Balanced Living: Riches support complete expression of physical, intellectual, and spiritual potentials.
• Non-Competitive Creation: Wealth is not about depriving others; it’s a natural creative process.

Chapter VI: How Riches Come to You

• Fair Dealing: Riches are obtained through fair exchange.
• Thought and Action: Positive thoughts attract wealth; personal actions enable its capture.
• Divine Support: Supreme Intelligence aids in fulfilling desires through both direct and indirect means.
• Faith and Visualization: Strong faith and mental visualization of already having desired objects attract those objects.

Chapter VII: Gratitude

• Gratitude’s Role: Essential for maintaining connection with creative forces.
• Continuity of Blessings: Gratitude enhances receptivity to ongoing wealth.
• Mental Alignment: Gratitude aligns thoughts with the source of blessings.
• Avoiding Negative Focus: Engaging in gratitude prevents a mindset fixated on limitations.

Chapter VIII: Thinking in the Certain Way

• Clear Vision Necessary: Specific and vivid mental images of what one desires are crucial.
• Habitual Thought: Continuous focus on desires is maintained without extensive rituals.
• Purpose and Faith: Beyond visualization, a firm belief in achieving goals and constant purpose are vital.
• Gratitude: Thanksgiving for already possessing desired outcomes reinforces faith.

Chapter IX: How to Use the Will

• Will's Role: Willpower is for self-regulation rather than influencing others.
• Mental Discipline: Keeping thoughts aligned with desires through persistent willpower.
• Faith Consistency: Ensuring faith through focused attention, resisting negative influences.
• Avoiding Competitiveness: Competition undermines creative faculty; remain in creative mindset.

Chapter X: Further Use of the Will

• Attention Control: Avoid focusing on opposites of your desires (e.g., poverty for wealth). Focus on wealth and abundance.
• Positive Speech: Language reflects and reinforces beliefs; avoid negative or doubtful expressions.
• Persistent Focus: Maintain focus on goals despite circumstances or obstacles.
• Consistent Practice: Regular practice of constructive actions retains the alignment of thoughts and purpose.

Chapter XI: Acting in the Certain Way

• Action Connection: Complement thought with personal action to receive results.
• Immediate Action: Action must be in the present context and environment, not deferred.
• Efficient Action: Focus on doing present duties perfectly, preparing for future opportunities.
• Overall Vision: Larger vision maintained while managing current tasks effectively.

Chapter XII: Efficient Action

• Success through Efficiency: Individual acts should aim for excellence and efficiency.
• Daily perfection: Making each day's actions successful leads to cumulative success.
• Balanced Effort: Avoid overwork; focus on quality rather than quantity.
• Faith and Vision: Hold the mental image of success, infusing every act with faith.

Chapter XIII: Getting into the Right Business

• Talents and Success: Best suited for occupations matching natural talents, but can succeed in any business by developing necessary skills.
• Following Desire: Strong desire indicates potential; pursue passions for true satisfaction.
• Adaptability: Growth into new roles requires patience and leveraging current roles for advancement.
• Calm Progress: Opportunities will arise; avoid hasty decisions or actions.

Chapter XIV: The Impression of Increase

• Increasing Nature: Convey a sense of prosperity and growth in all dealings.
• Customer Assurance: Ensure every interaction communicates personal advancement.
• Value Addition: Give more in use value than you receive in cash value.
• Avoid Comparisons: Reject the desire for dominion over others; focus on mutual growth and benefit.

Chapter XV: The Advancing Man

• Applicable to All: Principles apply across professions—physicians, lawyers, teachers, etc.
• Faith Practice: Consistency in faith and purpose ensures success in respective fields.
• Avoid Flattery: Seek genuine increase for oneself and others for lasting success and satisfaction.
• Personal Development: Prioritize self-improvement continuously.

Chapter XVI: Some Cautions, and Concluding Observations

• Limitations of Systems: Government and systems don’t restrict wealth; lack of creative practice does.
• Positive Focus: Avoid considering limitations; concentrate on abundant opportunities.
• World View: Perceive world developments as progress toward wealth and prosperity.
• Stable Faith: Maintain strong, unwavering faith to harness the power of the creative mind.

Chapter XVII: Summary of the Science of Getting Rich

• Unified Focus: Align with Formless Intelligence through gratitude and clear mental images.
• Active Practice: Combine thought with action, emphasizing efficiency and purpose.
• Constant Growth: Daily personal and business actions should reflect a commitment to growth and wealth.
• Holistic Abundance: Ultimate aim is to foster prosperity that benefits oneself and others.