Self-Help Philosophy Personal Finance

The Science of Getting Rich (Summary)

by Wallace D. Wattles

What if becoming rich wasn't about talent, environment, or saving money, but about impressing your thoughts upon a formless, intelligent 'thinking substance' from which all things are made? Wallace D. Wattles claims there is an exact science to acquiring wealth, as predictable as algebra, available to anyone who learns to think and act in a 'Certain Way'.

The Right to Be Rich Is a Moral Duty

Wattles reframes the pursuit of wealth not as greed, but as a spiritual obligation. To fully develop one's body, mind, and soul, one needs resources. Therefore, seeking riches is not just a right but a duty to live the most complete life possible.

A person who wants to travel the world to expand their mind, appreciate art, and learn from other cultures cannot do so without money. Their desire for wealth is not materialism; it is a desire for a fuller expression of life, which Wattles argues is a noble and natural impulse.

The Universe Operates on a Creative, Not Competitive, Plane

There is an infinite supply of wealth in the 'Original Substance.' Getting rich is not about taking from others but about creating new wealth from this formless source by using your thoughts. A competitive mindset focuses on scarcity, while a creative one focuses on infinite possibility.

Instead of trying to beat a competitor to a contract, the person operating on the creative plane focuses on creating such immense value that a new, better opportunity is drawn to them. They don't see one pie to be divided; they believe they can bake an infinite number of new pies.

Gratitude Is the Conductor for Riches

Gratitude is the crucial mental tool that keeps you connected to the creative intelligence of the universe. It aligns your mind with the forces of creation and prevents you from falling into the trap of dissatisfaction and the competitive mindset.

If you are constantly complaining about your bills and low income, you are focusing your mental energy on lack, which attracts more lack. By being genuinely grateful for the food you have, the roof over your head, and the opportunities at hand, you 'tune' your mind to the frequency of abundance, which opens the way for more to flow to you.

Thought Must Be Paired With Efficient Action

Holding a clear mental image and having faith are foundational, but they are useless without action. You must act now, in your present environment, doing all that you can do each day, and doing each act in an efficient, successful manner.

A writer can visualize their bestselling novel with perfect faith, but if they don't sit down and write each day, the book will never exist. The 'Certain Way' requires them to perform the daily act of writing with the belief that each word is contributing to a successful outcome, rather than just waiting for a bolt of inspiration or a publishing deal to fall from the sky.

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