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What if the secret to boundless wealth lay not in cutthroat competition, but in the quiet power of thought? Wallace D. Wattles, a visionary ahead of his time, devoted his life to unraveling the mysteries of success. In ""The Science of Getting Rich,"" he unveils a revolutionary concept: the universe is a malleable ""thinking stuff,"" and your thoughts can shape it to manifest your desires. With seventeen succinct chapters, Wattles guides you through harnessing this profound idea, transcending obstacles, and fostering a prosperity that elevates all around you. Concluding with his insightful essay ""How to Get What You Want,"" this timeless classic distills a potent message: true wealth creation is an art of creation, not competition. Whether you're new to self-help or a seasoned seeker, this book offers a transformative blueprint for a life of abundance.

Categories

Business, Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Philosophy, Finance, Economics, Education, Leadership, Audiobook, Management, Entrepreneurship, Money, Personal Development, Personal Finance

Content Type

Book

Binding

Mass Market Paperback

Year

0

Publisher

Tarcher/Penguin

Language

English

ASIN

1585426016

ISBN

1585426016

ISBN13

9781585426010

File Download

PDF | EPUB

The Science of Getting Rich Plot Summary

Introduction

The journey to prosperity has been a central human pursuit throughout history, yet many find themselves trapped in limiting beliefs about wealth creation. What if there existed a reliable, scientific approach to becoming rich that transcends mere chance or privilege? The Science of Getting Rich presents a comprehensive theoretical framework that challenges conventional thinking about wealth acquisition, positioning prosperity as a natural outcome of aligning with universal creative principles rather than engaging in competition. This philosophical system establishes wealth as a legitimate aspiration connected to human development and fulfillment. It introduces a revolutionary paradigm where riches are created through mental power working in harmony with natural laws, rather than accumulated at others' expense. The approach synthesizes practical action with thought power, gratitude practices, and purposeful vision—offering a structured pathway that claims to work with mathematical certainty for anyone willing to follow its precepts, regardless of their starting circumstances.

Chapter 1: The Right to Be Rich: Philosophical Foundation

The philosophy of wealth presented in this theoretical framework begins with a bold assertion: being rich is not merely desirable but essential for complete living. This perspective moves beyond traditional moral judgments that often frame wealth as spiritually suspect or morally questionable. Instead, it establishes prosperity as a legitimate right connected to full human development and expression. At its core, this theory argues that money represents access to resources needed for mental, spiritual, and physical unfoldment. The framework defines true wealth not as mere financial sufficiency but as having access to everything that contributes to one's capacity for experiencing life's richness in all dimensions. This redefinition shifts wealth from a materialistic pursuit to an enabling force for fuller expression of human potential. The philosophical foundation further distinguishes between selfish accumulation and legitimate desire for advancement. Unlike traditional religious teachings that sometimes glorify poverty as virtuous, this framework presents prosperity as alignment with life's inherent drive toward expansion. The theory draws connections between material resources and fulfillment across all dimensions of human experience—intellectual growth requires books and learning opportunities; social and familial connections flourish with resources to share; and creative expression demands proper tools and environments. This perspective resolves the apparent contradiction between material pursuit and spiritual values by positioning wealth as the material foundation that enables higher expressions of human potential. In practical terms, this means someone pursuing education, family connections, community contribution, or artistic expression legitimately requires financial resources to fully realize these aspirations. Just as a plant requires proper soil and nutrients to reach its full expression, human development requires appropriate material resources to support growth in all dimensions. The theory challenges readers to release guilt around wealth aspiration, reframing it as a natural extension of life's evolutionary impulse toward greater expression. This philosophical foundation serves as the bedrock upon which the entire science of getting rich is constructed—establishing why wealth is worth pursuing before explaining how to attain it.

Chapter 2: The Creative Mindset versus the Competitive Mindset

The theory presents a fundamental distinction between two opposing approaches to wealth creation: the creative mindset and the competitive mindset. The competitive paradigm, which dominates conventional economic thinking, views wealth as a limited resource where one person's gain necessitates another's loss. This perspective generates anxiety, scarcity thinking, and cutthroat tactics as people scramble for pieces of a supposedly fixed economic pie. In stark contrast, the creative mindset perceives wealth through an entirely different lens. It recognizes that prosperity originates from an infinite source—what the framework calls "Formless Substance" or the intelligent creative medium that constitutes the universe. This perspective understands that wealth can be created rather than merely transferred or redistributed. The creative approach aligns with natural abundance, viewing economic opportunity as limitless rather than constrained. The psychological implications of these mindsets create dramatically different experiences. Those operating from competition experience constant stress, vigilance against threats, and ethical compromises justified by perceived necessity. Meanwhile, those embracing creativity experience collaborative relationships, mental peace, and ethical alignment as they focus on generating value rather than extracting it from others. The theory emphasizes that competition belongs to evolutionary history's earlier stages, while creation represents humanity's higher developmental potential. These contrasting approaches manifest in practical business behaviors. A competitive businessperson might undercut competitors, hoard information, and prioritize short-term gains over relationship-building. A creative businessperson focuses on innovation, customer value enhancement, and business models that benefit all stakeholders. The framework asserts that even those who became wealthy through competition (citing industrial titans like Rockefeller and Carnegie) ultimately served as unconscious channels for economic evolution despite their competitive methods. This theoretical distinction resolves the apparent contradiction between wealth accumulation and ethical living. By repositioning wealth creation as generative rather than extractive, the framework liberates aspiring wealth-builders from moral qualms about prosperity. A jewelry designer creating beautiful new works, a software developer solving problems through code, or a teacher developing innovative educational approaches all exemplify creative wealth-building that expands rather than divides the economic landscape.

Chapter 3: Gratitude and Faith: Mental Attitudes for Wealth

The framework introduces gratitude and faith as essential psychological forces in the wealth creation process, elevating them from mere virtues to practical tools with transformative power. Gratitude functions as a psycho-spiritual connector that aligns one's consciousness with the source of abundance. This theory posits that maintaining a grateful mental state creates harmonious receptivity to the creative forces of the universe, establishing the optimal condition for wealth attraction. The mechanism through which gratitude operates involves frequency alignment—a concept that predates modern quantum physics yet parallels its insights about resonance. When individuals maintain genuine appreciation for what they already possess, they vibrationally attune to abundance rather than scarcity. This creates a psychological environment where prosperity naturally flows. The framework describes gratitude as functioning through psychological law: the mental state we consistently maintain determines what we notice, attract, and experience in our external reality. Faith works as the complementary force to gratitude, serving as the unwavering conviction that desired outcomes already exist in potential form before manifesting physically. This isn't blind optimism but rather a disciplined mental stance that refuses to acknowledge apparent limitations as ultimate reality. The theory distinguishes between passive hoping and active faith—the latter being a creative force that shapes circumstances rather than merely responding to them. These mental attitudes operate through practical application rather than abstract contemplation. The framework suggests specific practices like maintaining mental focus on desired outcomes while simultaneously expressing genuine gratitude for their inevitable manifestation. This creates what modern psychology might call a positive feedback loop between expectation and experience. When someone consistently expects and appreciates abundance, they notice opportunities others miss and take actions others avoid. Real-world manifestation of these principles can be observed in entrepreneurs who maintain optimistic outlooks during challenging business periods, expressing gratitude for lessons learned through difficulties while maintaining faith in eventual success. Such individuals often navigate economic downturns more successfully than equally talented but less psychologically resilient competitors. Similarly, professionals who appreciate current circumstances while confidently working toward advancement tend to progress more rapidly than those focused on complaints or limitations. The theory acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining these mental states in challenging circumstances, yet insists this psychological discipline distinguishes successful wealth-builders from unsuccessful ones. Just as a sailor must maintain proper steering regardless of weather conditions to reach a destination, aspiring wealth-creators must maintain proper mental attitudes regardless of apparent circumstances to achieve prosperity.

Chapter 4: Formulating Clear Visions and Decisive Action

The theoretical framework presents vision and action as complementary forces that must work in precise harmony for wealth creation. Clear vision serves as the blueprint that guides creative energy, while decisive action provides the channel through which that vision materializes. Neither component alone proves sufficient—vision without action remains fantasy, while action without vision produces scattered effort without meaningful results. Effective vision formulation requires extraordinary specificity and sensory richness. The theory distinguishes between vague wishes ("I want more money") and properly constructed visions that include detailed imagery, emotional resonance, and precise outcomes. This level of mental clarity performs two essential functions: it provides detailed instructions to the creative forces being engaged, and it generates sufficient motivational energy to sustain consistent action despite inevitable obstacles. The framework outlines a structured approach to vision development that begins with identifying exactly what one desires, then mentally inhabiting that reality through consistent contemplation. This mental rehearsal creates neural pathways that prepare one for actually experiencing the desired outcomes. The theory parallels modern neuroscience findings about visualization, where mental rehearsal activates many of the same brain regions as physical performance. When properly integrated with vision, action takes on distinctive characteristics that separate it from mere busyness. The framework identifies "efficient action"—performing each task with excellence, present-moment focus, and connection to larger purpose. This approach transforms even mundane activities into meaningful contributions to wealth creation. An office worker processing paperwork, a craftsperson creating products, or a service provider assisting customers—all can perform these actions in the "certain way" that infuses ordinary activities with extraordinary creative power. The integration of vision and action resolves apparent contradictions between Eastern philosophical traditions emphasizing inner cultivation and Western emphasis on external achievement. Through this framework, inner development (vision, clarity, purpose) and outer achievement (strategic action, relationship building, value creation) become complementary aspects of a unified approach to prosperity. This principle manifests in countless success stories where visionaries maintained clear mental pictures of desired outcomes while taking consistent, focused action toward their manifestation. Whether creating a business, developing property, advancing professionally, or building investment portfolios, the combination of vivid mental imagery and purposeful daily action forms the operational core of this wealth creation science.

Chapter 5: Efficient Action in the Certain Way

The framework introduces a distinctive concept called "efficient action in the certain way"—a specialized approach to activity that maximizes creative power while minimizing wasted effort. This theory distinguishes between merely working hard and working with precise alignment to universal principles. The difference resembles that between randomly striking piano keys versus playing harmoniously with musical laws—both involve effort, but only the latter produces desired results. Efficient action begins with present-moment focus, rejecting both past-oriented regret and future-oriented anxiety. The theory emphasizes that creative power exists only in the present moment, making full engagement with current activities essential for wealth creation. This approach resolves the apparent contradiction between future vision and present focus by maintaining vision as context while concentrating effort on immediate tasks performed with excellence. The framework identifies specific characteristics of efficient action: doing each day's work thoroughly without overwork; performing tasks with cheerful confidence rather than anxious rushing; focusing on value creation rather than time expenditure; and taking action from gratitude rather than fear. These qualities transform identical external behaviors into entirely different energetic experiences with correspondingly different outcomes. Strategic sequencing forms another crucial aspect of this approach. The theory guides practitioners to begin where they are with available resources and opportunities, rather than waiting for ideal circumstances. This prevents the common wealth-creation obstacle of postponement pending perfect conditions. The approach might be compared to planting seeds in currently available soil while simultaneously preparing better growing conditions, rather than waiting for perfect soil before beginning cultivation. In practical application, this principle transforms how individuals approach daily work. A salesperson operating through this framework would focus completely on current customer interactions with genuine service motivation, rather than anxious quota-consciousness. A professional would fully engage with present responsibilities while maintaining vision of advancement, rather than performing current duties resentfully while dreaming of promotion. An entrepreneur would maximize value creation within current business models while strategically expanding toward larger visions. The framework resolves the tension between ambition and contentment by promoting full engagement with present circumstances as the very pathway to desired circumstances. This creates a virtuous cycle where excellence in current activities naturally opens doors to expanded opportunities. Unlike approaches that generate internal conflict between where one is and where one wants to be, this "certain way" of efficient action harmonizes present reality with future aspirations through moment-by-moment aligned activity.

Chapter 6: Creating Value and Impressions of Increase

The theoretical framework introduces a profound principle: lasting wealth comes only through creating genuine value and conveying what it calls "impressions of increase" to everyone with whom one interacts. This represents a paradigm shift from extractive to contributive economics, positioning wealth creation as fundamentally about enhancement rather than acquisition. At its core, this principle asserts that true economic exchange should leave both parties better off. The framework distinguishes between market value (the monetary price of something) and use value (its actual benefit to the recipient). Creating authentic wealth requires providing use value that exceeds the market value received in return. This approach guarantees that each transaction contributes to overall economic expansion rather than mere redistribution of existing resources. The "impression of increase" represents the psychological dimension of value creation—ensuring that others feel enlarged, improved, or advanced through their association with you. This operates on both conscious and subconscious levels, creating an attractive force that naturally draws people, opportunities, and resources. The framework describes this as a natural law where increase flows toward those who cause increase for others. This principle manifests differently across various contexts. In business, it might mean providing exceptional product quality, unexpectedly helpful customer service, or innovative solutions to persistent problems. In professional environments, it could involve contributing ideas that advance organizational goals, supporting colleagues' development, or bringing positive energy to workplace interactions. In personal relationships, it appears as genuine interest in others' wellbeing, celebration of their successes, and contribution to their growth. The psychological mechanism behind this principle relates to human desire for improvement and expansion. All people naturally gravitate toward relationships, environments, and exchanges that enhance their lives. By consistently being a source of such enhancement, one becomes a natural attraction point for prosperity. This contrasts sharply with competitive approaches that attempt to secure advantage through minimizing what others receive. This theoretical framework resolves the apparent conflict between self-interest and altruism by revealing how they ultimately converge. Creating genuine value for others becomes the most reliable pathway to personal prosperity. A physician who genuinely advances patients' health, a business that significantly improves customers' lives, or a professional who substantially contributes to organizational success naturally experiences reciprocal prosperity through this principle of increase.

Chapter 7: Advancing with Purpose and Opportunity Recognition

The theoretical framework culminates with principles governing advancement and opportunity recognition—the dynamic processes through which wealth creation accelerates over time. This approach distinguishes between haphazard progress and purposeful advancement that follows recognizable patterns and leverages identifiable opportunities that others might overlook. Purpose functions as the unifying force that coordinates all wealth-building efforts into coherent progression rather than scattered activities. The framework defines purpose not merely as goal-setting but as profound alignment with one's authentic contribution path. This deeper purpose resolves apparent conflicts between competing priorities by providing clear decision-making criteria. When faced with multiple options, the purpose-driven individual evaluates choices based on alignment with their core wealth-building direction rather than short-term expediency. Opportunity recognition emerges as a trainable skill rather than mystical talent in this framework. The theory outlines specific perceptual shifts that enable individuals to identify valuable openings where others see only obstacles or limitations. This involves recognizing that opportunities frequently appear disguised as problems, changes, or disruptions. The purpose-driven wealth-builder develops what might be called "opportunity vision"—the ability to perceive latent potential within evolving situations. The advancement process follows discernible patterns that the framework illuminates. Rather than random luck, progress occurs through expanding value creation in concentric circles. One begins by maximizing performance and contribution in current circumstances, which naturally attracts attention and opens doors to expanded opportunities. These new circumstances then become the foundation for further enhancement through the same principles of value creation and impression of increase. This framework addresses a common wealth-building obstacle: overlooking available opportunities while fixating on apparent limitations. It teaches practitioners to recognize that advantageous openings exist in every economic climate and personal circumstance. During economic contractions, opportunities may emerge through problem-solving or resource optimization. During expansions, opportunities might appear through scaling existing successful approaches. The theory emphasizes that opportunity recognition depends more on perceptual training than external conditions. In practical application, this manifests as simultaneously appreciating current circumstances while remaining alert to advancement possibilities. A retail employee might fully engage with customer service excellence while developing skills for management roles. A small business owner might maximize current operational efficiency while exploring strategic expansion opportunities. A professional might excel in current responsibilities while building relationships and capabilities that enable upward mobility. The framework ultimately presents wealth creation as an evolutionary process that follows natural growth patterns rather than forced manipulation. Like a plant growing toward sunlight, the purpose-driven individual naturally advances toward greater prosperity by responding intelligently to available resources, conditions, and opportunities while maintaining alignment with their core wealth-building direction.

Summary

The Science of Getting Rich presents a comprehensive theoretical framework that transforms wealth creation from mysterious good fortune into reliable science through the masterful integration of mental power, efficient action, and natural law alignment. Its key insight—that prosperity emerges when one shifts from competitive to creative consciousness while maintaining gratitude, clear vision, and value-focused activity—provides a paradigm that transcends conventional economic thinking. This theoretical system offers profound implications beyond individual prosperity, suggesting an evolutionary economic model where wealth creation through value enhancement could replace wealth acquisition through competition. As more individuals apply these principles, the framework proposes that economic systems would naturally evolve toward greater abundance, cooperation, and universal prosperity—potentially resolving the persistent tension between individual advancement and collective wellbeing that has challenged economic philosophers for centuries.

Best Quote

“There are three motives for which we live; we live for the body, we live for the mind, we live for the soul. No one of these is better or holier than the other; all are alike desirable, and no one of the three—body, mind, or soul—can live fully if either of the others is cut short of full life and expression.” ― Wallace D. Wattles, The Science of Getting Rich

Review Summary

Strengths: The book is described as life-changing, inspiring new ideas and plans, and altering the reader's worldview positively. It is recommended for those seeking more from life. Weaknesses: The title is misleading, particularly the use of the term 'Science.' The author demands unquestioning belief in his strategies, discourages exploration of the subject from other sources, and fails to clearly define the 'Certain Way' to achieve wealth. The content is repetitive, focusing solely on the power of concentration without substantial explanation. Overall Sentiment: Mixed Key Takeaway: While the book has the potential to inspire and motivate significant personal change, it is criticized for its misleading title, lack of scientific grounding, and repetitive content that lacks practical guidance.

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The Science of Getting Rich

By Wallace D. Wattles

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