Business Book Review: The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D Wattles

Over a century on, The Science of Getting Rich remains a masterpiece in creating anything you want.

My Rating: ★★★★★

Length: 88 pages
Publisher: Originally published in 1910 (Elizabeth Towne Company).
Released: 1910

Key Takeaways for Personal Branding

The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D Wattles, over a century since it was first published, is still as prolific today.

The iconic classic has timelessly mesmerised the world. It’s the book that preceded Think and Grow Rich, and till today there are few books like it in the financial and business realm. And also few books as widely revered.

The close-minded will critique it at best, or rather not understand it at all. For the open-minded, who understand the concepts on which it is founded, it will sing their language.

The Science Summarised

With spectacular succinctness modern-day authors could learn from, Wallace repeats the key takeaways of the science of getting rich as:

“There is a thinking stuff from which all things are made, and which, in its original state, permeates, penetrates, and fills the interspaces of the universe.”

A thought in this substance produces the thing that is imaged by the thought.

Man can form things in his thoughts, and by impressing his thought upon formless substance can cause the thing he thinks about to be created.”

Create, don’t compete

Wallace proposes that to become rich, you must rise from the competitive plane and into the creative plane. The competitive plane operates in scarcity, while the creative plane thinks in abundance.

The creative plane sees the limitless riches in the Formless Substance:

“Never look at the visible supply; look always at the limitless riches in Formless Substance, and KNOW that they are coming to you as fast as you can receive and use them. Nobody, by cornering the visible supply, can prevent you from getting what is yours”.

The creative plan understands there is always enough abundance for all:

“Every man who becomes rich by competition throws down behind him the ladder by which he rises, and keeps others down; but every man who gets rich by creation opens a way for thousands to follow him and inspires them to do so.”

It is through continuous gratitude practice for the good fortune that does come to you, that you avoid the competitive plane and stay in the creative plane:

“Gratitude unifies the minds of man with the intelligence of Substance, so the man’s thoughts are received by the Formless.”

Clarity of Thought

As Wallace highlights, it’s not enough to simply have a thought. It must be a clear and definite image of the things you wish to have, do or become. And you must keep this mental image in your thoughts:

“It is not enough that you should have a wish to travel, see things, live more, etc, Everybody has those desires also. If you were going to send a wireless message to a friend, you would not send the letters of the alphabet in their order, and let him construct the message for himself; nor would you take words at random from the dictionary. You would send a coherent sentence, one which meant something.”

Avoid uninformed longings and vague desires. To get rich, get clear.

The Science of Getting Rich may appear a philosophical read, but don’t be fooled. As Wallace opens, it’s based on science, not philosophy. Wallace highlights the predecessors upon which his work is founded so you may research it yourself, but doesn’t burden the reader with the details. Instead, he delivers perhaps one of the most concise summaries of only everything you need to know about the idea. And does so with captivating confidence. More authors should endeavour to master their own writing with such precision.

Favourite Quotes

“No one is kept in poverty by a shortness in the supply of riches; there is more than enough for all.”

“…behind this purpose must be an invincible and unwavering FAITH that the thing is already yours; that it is “at hand” and you have only to take possession of it.”

“Get rich; that is the best way you can help the poor.”

“When you make a failure, it is because you have not asked for enough; keep on, and a larger thing than you were seeking will certainly come to you. Remember this.”

The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D Wattles: Available on Amazon.