The Science of Getting Rich by W. D. Wattles

The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles is a practical guide that blends philosophy, faith, and actionable principles for wealth creation. First published in 1910, it continues to inspire readers who seek prosperity through disciplined thought and purposeful action. Unlike many motivational texts, this book presents wealth-building as an exact science, not a matter of luck.

Who May Benefit from the Book

• Individuals seeking financial improvement through structured thinking and action.
• Entrepreneurs desiring practical guidance for sustainable wealth creation.
• Readers interested in self-help and prosperity literature.
• Professionals aiming to balance spiritual growth with material success.
• Anyone curious about the philosophy of abundance and prosperity.

Top 3 Key Insights

1. Wealth creation is an exact science governed by universal laws.
2. Thoughts shape reality, and a clear mental vision backed by faith attracts riches.
3. True prosperity comes from creative action, not competition, by adding value to others.

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4 More Lessons and Takeaways

1. Gratitude connects to abundance: A grateful mind stays in harmony with universal intelligence, ensuring continuous flow of wealth.
2. Faith fuels action: Strong belief prevents doubt and directs energy toward purposeful actions that open channels of opportunity.
3. Efficiency over quantity: Success results from doing each act well, with focus and commitment, rather than attempting too much.
4. Impression of increase: Every interaction should leave others better off, reinforcing the principle of advancing life for all.

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The Book in 1 Sentence

Wealth comes through faith-driven thought, gratitude, and purposeful action aligned with universal laws of abundance and creativity.

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The Book Summary in 1 Minute

Wattles explains that getting rich is not luck but a science. He argues that thought shapes reality, and by holding a clear vision of wealth, infused with faith and gratitude, individuals can manifest abundance. Success requires efficient action in the present, shifting from competition to creation, and always giving more in use value than taken in cash.

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The Chapter-wise Book Summary in 7 Minutes

W. D. Wattles’ The Science of Getting Rich (1910) is presented as a pragmatical, not philosophical, book—a practical manual for those whose primary need is money and who wish to get rich first, and philosophize afterward. The author intends for the reader to accept the fundamental statements upon faith and to prove their truth by acting upon them without fear or hesitation. Wattles asserts that the science detailed is an exact science, guaranteeing that failure is impossible for those who adhere to its principles. The philosophical basis rests upon the monistic theory—that One Substance manifests itself as the many elements of the material world.

Chapter I: The Right to be Rich [8–15]

Wattles begins by affirming that everyone has the right to be rich. A complete or successful life is not possible unless one is rich because a man must have money to buy the many things necessary for his fullest mental, spiritual, and physical unfoldment. Man’s right to life is synonymous with his right to be rich. The desire for riches is the desire for a richer, fuller, and more abundant life, which is praiseworthy. The pursuit of wealth is of supreme importance because love finds its most natural and spontaneous expression in giving, which is denied by poverty.

Notable Quotes:

• “No man can rise to his greatest possible height in talent or soul development unless he has plenty of money…”.
• “Man’s right to life means his right to have the free and unrestricted use of all the things which may be necessary to his fullest mental, spiritual, and physical unfoldment; or, in other words, his right to be rich.”.

Key Points:

• A complete life requires full expression of the body, mind, and soul, none of which can live fully without wealth.
• To be content with less than what contributes to the power, elegance, beauty, and richness of life is sinful.
• Understanding the science of getting rich is the most essential of all knowledge.

Chapter II: There is a Science of Getting Rich [15–25]

Getting rich is an exact science, governed by certain laws, just like algebra or arithmetic. Wealth results from doing things in a Certain Way. This Certain Way is accessible to anyone because success is not primarily a matter of environment, talent, or thrift. The fact that rich and poor live side by side, often in the same vocation, proves that getting rich depends entirely upon following this Certain Way. Even the lack of capital is not an impediment, as the getting of capital is a part of the process of doing things in the Certain Way.

Notable Quotes:

• “There is a Science of getting rich, and it is an exact science, like algebra or arithmetic.”.
• “…any man or woman who learns to do things in this Certain Way will infallibly get rich.”.

Key Points:

• Like causes always produce like effects; therefore, adherence to the laws guarantees success with mathematical certainty.
• Talented and less talented people alike get rich, indicating that success relies on method, not innate ability.
• One can begin the process of getting rich even if deeply in debt, starting right now in their present business and location.

Chapter III: Is Opportunity Monopolized? [26–34]

Opportunity is not monopolized; while some fields (like major railroads) may be closed, others (like aerial transportation) are opening. The tide of opportunity currently sets toward agriculture and allied industries in America. The working class is held down not by masters, but by their failure to adopt the Certain Way. Crucially, no one is kept poor by a shortage of supply, as the invisible supply really IS inexhaustible. Everything is made from one original Formless Substance which is intelligent, alive, and constantly impelled toward more life.

Notable Quotes:

• “The visible supply is practically inexhaustible; and the invisible supply really IS inexhaustible.”.
• “The Formless Stuff responds to the needs of man; it will not let him be without any good thing.”.

Key Points:

• The Formless Substance permeates the universe and is the raw material of all things, making the supply limitless.
• Nature’s impelling motive is the increase of life, and it bountifully provides everything that can possibly minister to life.
• If individuals are poor, it is because they do not follow the Certain Way of doing things.

Chapter IV: The First Principle in the Science of Getting Rich [35–48]

The only power that produces tangible riches from the Formless Substance is Thought. The Thinking Stuff takes the form of the thought impressed upon it. Man, as a thinking center, can impress his thoughts upon Formless Substance to cause creation. The first step is to acquire the ability to think in a Certain Way. This means thinking TRUTH, regardless of appearances (e.g., thinking riches when surrounded by poverty). Achieving this power makes one a MASTER MIND. To succeed, one must accept the monistic concept absolutely and cast aside all doubt or conflicting ideas.

Notable Quotes:

• “Thought is the only power which can produce tangible riches from the Formless Substance.”.
• “To think what you want to think is to think TRUTH, regardless of appearances.”.

Key Points:

• The creation of desired forms follows established lines of growth (like commerce), but can also occur directly from primal substance if necessary.
• Sustained, consecutive thought is the hardest work in the world, yet essential to overcome appearances.
• The science begins with the absolute acceptance of the faith that one original thinking substance exists and responds to man’s thought.

Chapter V: Increasing Life [42–61]

The Intelligent Substance (God/All) is consciously living and inherently desires increase of life. Therefore, God desires that you should get rich so He can express Himself better through you. Your purpose must harmonize with the purpose in All, seeking real life, not mere pleasure. You must operate entirely on the creative plane, not the competitive plane. Intelligent Substance will create things for you, but will not take things from others. You help others most effectively by making the most of yourself. You must never look at the visible supply or think it is limited, as this mentality drops you back into competition.

Notable Quotes:

• “It is the desire of God that you should get rich.”.
• “You are to create, not to compete for what is already created.”.

Key Points:

• The desire for riches is the capacity for larger life seeking fulfillment; every desire is an unexpressed possibility seeking action.
• Extreme altruism and extreme selfishness are both mistakes; one should pursue complete life for oneself and others.
• You must maintain the knowledge that the money you need will come, even if it requires new gold mines to be created.

Chapter VI: How Riches Come to You [53–72]

You must deal with others by ensuring you give to every man more than you take from him. This means providing greater use value than the cash value received, thereby adding to the life of the world with every transaction. Your riches will not magically form from the atmosphere, but will come through established channels of trade and commerce, directed by the Supreme Intelligence acting upon the minds of men. You must hold the mental image with the most positive certainty and unquestioning faith that the desired item is already yours and is on its way. You need not hesitate to ask largely, as Original Substance wants you to have all you can use for the abundant life.

Notable Quotes:

• “…you do not have to get something for nothing, but can give to every man more than you take from him.”.
• “If you fix upon your consciousness the fact that the desire you feel for the possession of riches is one with the desire of Omnipotence for more complete expression, your faith becomes invincible.”.

Key Points:

• If you are in a business that “beats people,” you must get out of it at once.
• You must organize your business so that it is filled with the principle of advancement for your employees.
• The desire you feel for riches is the Infinite, seeking to express Himself through you.

Chapter VII: Gratitude [63–82]

To enter into a harmonious relationship with Formless Intelligence, you must cultivate deep and profound gratitude. Gratitude keeps the mind in touch with the source of blessings and prevents it from falling into competitive thought. The Law of Gratitude states that the thankful outreaching of your mind is a liberation of force that results in an instantaneous movement toward you. The grateful mind is constantly fixed upon the best and therefore tends to become the best and receive the best. Faith is born of gratitude; one cannot retain living faith without this feeling.

Notable Quotes:

• “The whole process of mental adjustment and atonement can be summed up in one word, gratitude.”.
• “The grateful outreaching of your mind in thankful praise to the Supreme is a liberation or expenditure of force; it cannot fail to reach that to which it is addressed.”

Key Points:

• Dissatisfied thought focuses the mind on the inferior (poverty, disease), leading to those conditions.
• You must include all things in your gratitude, including plutocrats and politicians, as they are helping to arrange the lines of transmission for your riches.
• It is necessary to cultivate the habit of giving thanks continuously for every good thing.

Chapter VIII: Thinking in a Certain Way [71–94]

You must form a clear and definite mental picture of what you want; vague desires are insufficient to impress the Thinking Substance. This clear vision must be held continually in mind, backed by the purpose to realize it and an invincible and unwavering FAITH that the thing is already yours. You must take the Mental Attitude of Ownership, living in the new environment mentally before it takes physical form. The impression is made on Formless Substance by holding the vision with unshakable PURPOSE and steadfast FAITH. Faith and purpose, not mere dreaming, make the difference between the scientist and the castle builder.

Notable Quotes:

• “You must form a clear and definite mental picture of what you want; you cannot transmit an idea unless you have it yourself.”.
• “The man who can sincerely thank God for the things which as yet he owns only in imagination, has real faith.”.

Key Points:

• Do not rely on special exercises; if you really want something badly enough, the desire will hold your thoughts to the purpose.
• It is not necessary to pray repeatedly; oral prayer is useful mainly for clarifying the vision and strengthening faith.
• Your faith while working determines the answer to prayer, not your faith while talking.

Chapter IX: How to Use the Will [80–105]

You must not apply your will power to anything outside of yourself (other people or objects), as this is wrong and ineffective. The legitimate use of the will is solely upon yourself: to compel yourself to think and do the right things (i.e., holding yourself to the Certain Way). Doubt or unbelief creates a negative impression that neutralizes the positive creative movement toward you. You must use your will to guard your thoughts and command your attention. Do not study or talk about poverty; it will not be banished by knowing about misery, but by getting pictures of wealth into the minds of the poor. The best way to help the poor is to get rich yourself and demonstrate the science.

Notable Quotes:

• “To get rich, you need only to use your will power upon yourself.”.
• “Doubt or unbelief is as certain to start a movement away from you as faith and purpose are to start one toward you.”.

Key Points:

• Any attempt to use your will to coerce others (mentally or physically) is wrong and will defeat your purpose.
• Thinking about opposites (like disease or poverty) does not bring things into being.
• Every man who gets rich by creation opens a way for thousands to follow him, unlike those who get rich by competition.

Chapter X: Further Use of the Will [106–117]

Do not retain or discuss past financial troubles, the poverty of your family, or gloomy world conditions, as these turn attention to opposing pictures. The world is a “wonderful Becoming” and is moving toward God. To become really rich is the noblest aim one can have, as it makes possible health, moral greatness, and domestic happiness. The best thing you can do for the whole world is to make the most of yourself. To maintain unwavering faith, you should read only this book until you are rich, avoiding conflicting theories, occult studies, or pessimistic literature that may mix up your faith.

Notable Quotes:

• “The world is not going to the devil; it is going to God.”.
• “You can serve God and man in no more effective way than by getting rich; that is, if you get rich by the creative method, and not by the competitive one.”.

Key Points:

• You must see beneath all seemingly wrong conditions the Great One Life moving forward toward fuller expression.
• Focus attention wholly on riches and think of poor people as those who are becoming rich.
• Mixing systems or reading conflicting ideas causes doubt and will lead to failure.

Chapter XI: Acting in the Certain Way [118–131]

Thought (the creative power) must be supplemented by personal action; failure to combine the two leads to shipwreck. Thought impels riches toward you, but action allows you to receive it. You must act NOW in your present business or environment. You must act so that you can rightfully appropriate what comes to you by giving every man more in use value than he gives you in cash value. Do not wait for a change of environment; you get a change of environment by action in your current place.

Notable Quotes:

• “That is the rock upon which many otherwise scientific metaphysical thinkers meet shipwreck—the failure to connect thought with personal action.”.
• “Your vision of the right business, if held with faith and purpose, will cause the Supreme to move the right business toward you; and your action, if performed in the Certain Way, will cause you to move toward the business.”.

Key Points:

• Do not try to project your thought occultly; focus the thought internally (vision, purpose, faith) and let the creative forces work through regular channels.
• You must put your whole mind into present action, dismissing the past and future.
• If you are an employee, hold the vision of the job you want while acting with faith and purpose on the job you have.

Chapter XII: Efficient Action [110–142]

You advance only by being larger than your present place, which requires leaving undone none of the work pertaining to that place. You must make every day a success. It is not the number of things you do, but the EFFICIENCY of each separate action that counts. Every act can be made strong and efficient by holding your vision and putting the whole power of your FAITH and PURPOSE into it, as All Power is working with you. Successful action is cumulative.

Notable Quotes:

• “If every day is a failure, you can never get rich; while if every day is a success, you cannot fail to get rich.”.
• “The cause of failure is doing too many things in an inefficient manner, and not doing enough things in an efficient manner.”.

Key Points:

• Leaving even a trivial act undone may cause a long delay, as you do not know the workings of the creative forces set in motion for you.
• You are not to overwork or rush blindly, but rather ensure that each act is performed efficiently.
• Spend leisure hours contemplating your vision so that during work hours, merely referring to the picture stimulates faith and purpose.

Chapter XIII: Getting into the Right Business [119–152]

Success is easier if you possess well-developed faculties for a business, but those faculties are only tools. You can get rich in ANY business because the desire to do a thing is proof that the power to do it exists within you. You will get rich most satisfactorily if you do that which you WANT to do. If currently in an undesirable job, do it as a means to reach the desired vocation. There is never any hurry on the creative plane; when in doubt, wait, contemplate your vision, and cultivate gratitude. Hurrying instantly makes you a competitor, dropping you back to the old competitive plane.

Notable Quotes:

• “The desire to do it is proof that you have within you the power which can do it.”.
• “When you get out of the competitive mind you will understand that you never need to act hastily.”.

Key Points:

• The best way to change business is generally by growth.
• A day or two spent in earnest thanksgiving will bring your mind into close relationship with the Supreme, preventing mistakes.
• Mistakes often come from acting hastily, in fear, or in doubt.

Chapter XIV: The Impression of Increase [127–162]

In dealing with others, the key-thought must be to convey the impression of increase. Increase is the fundamental impulse of the universe, and everyone is seeking more life. You must be a creative center from which increase is given off to all who deal with you, by giving them a use value greater than the cash value taken. You must hold the unshakable faith that you are an Advancing Man and let this faith permeate every action, tone, and look. Beware of the insidious temptation to seek for power over other men, as the desire to rule is the competitive mind, not the creative one.

Notable Quotes:

• “Increase is what all men and all women are seeking; it is the urge of the Formless Intelligence within them, seeking fuller expression.”.
• “The mind that seeks for mastery over others is the competitive mind; and the competitive mind is not the creative one.”.

Key Points:

• You must impress others so they feel that associating with you guarantees increase for themselves.
• Do not boast of success; true faith is never boastful.
• The principle of creative action is: “What I want for myself, I want for everybody”.

Chapter XV: The Advancing Man [135–172]

The principles apply equally to professionals (physicians, teachers, clergy) and the wage-earner. The physician who holds the vision of success and obeys the laws of faith, purpose, and gratitude will be phenomenally successful. Wage-earners must put the power of success and the purpose to get rich into every piece of work. Do this to advance yourself, not merely to please your employer, who may prefer to keep a valuable workman where he is. The advancing worker must radiate the power of purpose and increase so that every person who contacts him feels it. God cannot help helping you if you act in the Certain Way, as He must do so in order to help Himself.

Notable Quotes:

• “The law of the Increase of Life is as mathematically certain in its operation as the law of gravitation; getting rich is an exact science.”.
• “To secure advancement, something more is necessary than to be too large for your place.”.

Key Points:

• The world needs preachers who are themselves rich, healthy, great, and beloved, to teach the science of life.
• If advancement is not available in the current job, opportunity will soon appear elsewhere.
• If you begin to move in the Certain Way, you will certainly escape from “hopeless conditions”.

Chapter XVI: Some Cautions, and Concluding Observations [143–182]

No government or industrial system can keep a person from getting rich once they enter the creative plane of thought and adopt the Advancing Mind. You must never be betrayed into the competitive mind or regard the supply as limited. Do not plan anxiously for future obstacles; they will disappear or a way over, through, or around them will appear as you approach. Guard your speech; never speak discouragedly of yourself or your affairs, and never admit the possibility of failure. If a seeming failure occurs, hold to your faith, and you will find that you receive something so much better that the failure was a great success. If you lack the necessary talent, it will be furnished to you when you come to that place.

Notable Quotes:

• “No possible combination of circumstances can defeat a man or woman who is proceeding to get rich along strictly scientific lines.”.
• “If you go on as I have directed, you will develop all the talent that is necessary to the doing of your work.”.

Key Points:

• The economic salvation of the masses relies on getting a large number of people to practice the scientific method and become rich.
• When others face hard times, you will find your greatest opportunities.
• If you make a failure, it is because you did not ask for enough; keep on, and a larger thing than you were seeking will certainly come.

Chapter XVII: Summary of the Science of Getting Rich [152–186]

This chapter summarizes the entire scientific process:

1. Everything proceeds from a Formless Thinking Substance.
2. Man forms things in thought and impresses this thought on the Substance to create.
3. Man must pass from the competitive to the creative mind and maintain harmony through lively and sincere gratitude.
4. He must form and hold a clear mental image with fixed purpose and unwavering faith.
5. He must be active and more than fill his present place, doing every act in a successful manner.
6. He must give every person a use value in excess of the cash value received, conveying the Impression of Increase.

The riches received will be in exact proportion to the definiteness of vision, the fixity of purpose, the steadiness of faith, and the depth of gratitude.

Notable Quotes:

• “Man must pass from the competitive to the creative mind; otherwise he cannot be in harmony with the Formless Intelligence, which is always creative and never competitive in spirit.”.
• “The man who wishes to get rich must spend his leisure hours in contemplating his Vision, and in earnest thanksgiving that the reality is being given to him.”.

Key Points:

• The constant and deep feeling of gratitude unifies the mind of man with the intelligence of Substance.
• The creative energy works through established channels of natural growth and the industrial/social order.
• Too much stress cannot be laid on the importance of frequent contemplation of the mental image coupled with faith and gratitude.

Notable quotes from W. D. Wattles’ The Science of Getting Rich

1. “This book is pragmatical, not philosophical; a practical manual, not a treatise upon theories.”
2. “…the science herein applied is an exact science, and failure is impossible.”
3. “No man can rise to his greatest possible height in talent or soul development unless he has plenty of money…”
4. “Man’s right to life means his right to have the free and unrestricted use of all the things which may be necessary to his fullest mental, spiritual, and physical unfoldment; or, in other words, his right to be rich.”
5. “…to be content with less is sinful.”
6. “The desire for riches is really the desire for a richer, fuller, and more abundant life; and that desire is praiseworthy.”
7. “Love finds its most natural and spontaneous expression in giving.”
8. “There is a Science of getting rich, and it is an exact science, like algebra or arithmetic.”
9. “The ownership of money and property comes as a result of doing things in a certain way…”
10. “Thought is the only power which can produce tangible riches from the Formless Substance.”
11. “There is a thinking stuff from which all things are made…”
12. “Think TRUTH, regardless of appearances.”
13. “To think health when surrounded by the appearances of disease, or to think riches when in the midst of appearances of poverty, requires power; but he who acquires this power becomes a MASTER MIND.”
14. “If a doubt comes to you, cast it aside as a sin.”
15. “It is the desire of God that you should get rich.”
16. “…you can help others more by making the most of yourself than in any other way.”
17. “You must get rid of the thought of competition. You are to create, not to compete for what is already created.”
18. “Never look at the visible supply; look always at the limitless riches in Formless Substance…”
19. “…you can give to every man more than you take from him.”
20. “The whole process of mental adjustment and atonement can be summed up in one word, gratitude.”
21. “Faith is born of gratitude.”
22. “Behind your clear vision must be the purpose to realize it; to bring it out in tangible expression.”
23. “To get rich, you need only to use your will power upon yourself.”
24. “The mind that seeks for mastery over others is the competitive mind; and the competitive mind is not the creative one.”

About the Author

Wallace D. Wattles (1860–1911) was an American writer and pioneer in the self-help movement. Despite personal struggles and financial challenges, he studied widely in philosophy, religion, and social reform. His works emphasize the creative power of thought and practical methods for personal growth. The Science of Getting Rich remains his most influential book, inspiring countless prosperity thinkers and motivational writers.

How to Get the Best of the Book

Read with an open mind, apply principles daily, and practice gratitude. Focus on efficient action, not mere theory, and stay consistent.

Conclusion

Wattles presents wealth-building as a predictable process rooted in thought, faith, gratitude, and action. His method promotes abundance for all, rejecting competition for creation. Anyone who follows this disciplined approach with persistence can achieve both prosperity and personal fulfillment.