The science of getting rich, or, financial success through creative thought
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The science of getting rich, or, financial success through creative thought
Wallace D. Wattles’ original 1910 treatise, amplified by later editors, presents wealth creation not as a struggle but as an applied science. Its insistence on a specific mental posture—a "Certain Way" of thinking—is its undeniable strength. Wattles argues convincingly that the universe is not a place of scarcity but of infinite potential, a concept echoed in more recent manifestation literature. However, the text’s spiritualist underpinnings, while foundational to its New Thought origins, may feel dated or overly simplistic to a modern, secular audience. The core concept of holding a clear "Vision" of wealth and acting with "Purpose" remains potent, but the prescribed method requires a significant leap of faith and consistent mental discipline that can be challenging to maintain without external validation. The work’s enduring appeal lies in its bold assertion that prosperity is an attainable outcome of precise mental application.
📝 Description
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Wallace D. Wattles published The Science of Getting Rich in 1910, arguing wealth is a science.
This book presents a method for acquiring wealth through a specific mental and behavioral approach. Wattles asserts that financial success is not a matter of chance or circumstance, but a predictable outcome when one applies certain universal laws. The core idea is that by holding a clear vision and acting with purpose, individuals can align themselves with the principles that draw prosperity.
The text targets those feeling financially stagnant and seeking a structured way to improve their situation. It is for people who accept that their thoughts and mental focus directly influence their material outcomes. Readers dissatisfied with common wealth-building advice or curious about the link between consciousness and financial gain will find its direct approach useful. It requires a commitment to mental discipline and consistent application of its principles.
Wattles' work is a product of the New Thought movement, which gained traction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This spiritual and philosophical current held that human potential was limitless and that individuals could manifest their desires through focused intention and belief. The movement emphasized mind over matter, divine immanence, and the idea that universal laws governed creation. Wattles' book is a practical application of these ideas, presenting a structured system for financial manifestation within this framework.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Learn the "Certain Way" of thinking and acting as outlined by Wallace D. Wattles, focusing on creative thought over competitive struggle, to attract financial resources. • Understand the foundational principles of the New Thought movement, as Wattles draws heavily on its ideas of mental power and universal abundance, providing historical context. • Discover the importance of cultivating unwavering "Faith" and "Gratitude" as Wattles presents them, not as passive emotions, but as active components in the science of wealth attraction.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "Certain Way" of getting rich according to Wallace D. Wattles?
The "Certain Way" involves adopting a specific mindset and performing certain actions rooted in "Creative Thought." It emphasizes visualizing your desires with "Faith," acting with "Purpose," and maintaining "Gratitude" for what you have, believing in an abundant universe.
How does "The Science of Getting Rich" differ from modern self-help books?
Wattles' work, originating in 1910, predates many modern approaches and is deeply embedded in the New Thought philosophy. It presents wealth as a precise science governed by mental laws, with less emphasis on practical business strategies and more on the internal state of the individual.
Is "The Science of Getting Rich" a religious text?
While it draws from spiritual and philosophical concepts prevalent in the New Thought movement, it is not a religious text in the traditional sense. It presents a metaphysical framework for achieving material success through mental discipline and universal laws, rather than adherence to specific dogma.
What role does "Creative Thought" play in Wattles' philosophy?
Creative Thought is the opposite of "Competitive Thought." Wattles argues that by engaging in Creative Thought, focusing on creating value and meeting needs, one aligns with the "Formless Stuff" of the universe and attracts wealth effortlessly, rather than trying to take it from others.
When was "The Science of Getting Rich" originally published?
The original text by Wallace D. Wattles was first published in 1910, making it a foundational work within the New Thought movement of that era.
What is "Faith" in the context of this book?
Faith, as presented by Wattles, is the unwavering belief that the "Certain Way" works and that the "Formless Stuff" can be shaped into the desired form. It's a mental conviction that allows one to hold their "Vision" without doubt.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
The Power of Creative Thought
The book posits that wealth is not gained through competition but through "Creative Thought." This involves forming a clear mental "Vision" of what one desires and holding it with "Faith." By focusing on creating value and meeting the needs of others through one's unique abilities, individuals can tap into the "Formless Stuff" of the universe, which is inherently abundant and responsive to purposeful thought. This contrasts with "Competitive Thought," which assumes a finite supply of wealth and leads to struggle and scarcity.
The Principle of "Formless Stuff"
Wattles introduces the concept of a "Formless Stuff" or "Thinking Substance" from which all things are made. This substance is inherently intelligent and responsive to the thoughts and mental images of humanity. The core idea is that by impressing one's "Vision" onto this "Formless Stuff" with unwavering "Faith," one can cause it to take form as wealth. This is not magic, but a principle of universal law that dictates how creation occurs, moving from thought to form.
The Role of Gratitude and Purposeful Action
"Gratitude" is presented not merely as a pleasant emotion but as a vital component of the "Certain Way." It involves appreciating what one already has, which keeps the mind in a state of abundance and openness to receiving more. "Purposeful Action" is equally critical; it means acting with the "Vision" in mind, taking definite steps each day that move you closer to your goal, while maintaining the conviction that the "Formless Stuff" is working with you.
Mental Impression and Manifestation
The mechanism for acquiring wealth is described as impressing one's mental image onto the "Formless Stuff." This requires maintaining a clear, unwavering mental picture of the desired outcome and holding it with absolute "Faith." The book suggests that the universe is organized to bring about the "Form" that is most strongly and consistently impressed upon it by the "Thinking Substance" of individuals who understand and apply these principles.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“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.”
— This introduces the fundamental concept of the "Formless Stuff," the primordial substance of existence. Wattles posits that this substance is intelligent and malleable, capable of taking any form according to the mental impressions it receives, forming the basis for wealth creation.
“The more intensely you feel gratitude, the more closely you will be in harmony with the spirit of wealth, and the more money will come to you.”
— This highlights the active role of "Gratitude." It's not just a polite sentiment but a state of being that aligns the individual with the principles of abundance, facilitating the flow of wealth by reinforcing a mindset of plenty rather than lack.
“You must form a clear and definite mental picture of what you want; you have got to get this picture clearly in your mind.”
— This emphasizes the necessity of a precise "Vision." Vague desires will not suffice; a concrete, detailed mental image is crucial for impressing the "Formless Stuff" and guiding the "Creative Thought" process towards tangible manifestation.
“The man who is getting rich is the man who is doing more in the direction of his business than he is being paid to do.”
— This is an interpretation of "Purposeful Action." It suggests that exceeding expectations and contributing more value, driven by a clear "Vision" and "Faith," is a key practical application of the "Certain Way" to attract wealth beyond mere compensation.
“Faith is the first and most important ingredient in the formula.”
— Wattles stresses "Faith" as paramount. It's the unwavering belief in the "Certain Way" and the responsiveness of the "Formless Stuff." Without this conviction, the mental "Vision" and "Purposeful Action" lack the necessary potency to manifest wealth.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
This work is firmly rooted in the Western Esoteric Tradition, specifically within the New Thought movement, which itself draws from Hermeticism, Christian Science, and Eastern philosophies. Wattles' "Certain Way" of thinking and acting aligns with Hermetic principles like mentalism (the All is Mind) and the idea that one can influence the material world through focused consciousness. It departs from some traditions by focusing almost exclusively on material wealth as the primary manifestation of spiritual understanding, rather than broader spiritual liberation.
Symbolism
The primary "symbol" in Wattles' work is the "Formless Stuff," representing the undifferentiated potential of the universe—a concept akin to the Kabbalistic Ain Soph or the Hermetic Prima Materia. "Vision" serves as a symbol for the imprinted mental blueprint that guides the creation process. The act of "Gratitude" symbolizes alignment with the flow of universal abundance, acting as a conduit for manifestation, much like a lens focusing light.
Modern Relevance
Wattles' concepts have profoundly influenced modern self-help and manifestation literature. Thinkers and speakers like Rhonda Byrne (The Secret) have directly cited "The Science of Getting Rich" as a foundational text. Contemporary "law of attraction" coaches and gurus often repackage Wattles' core ideas on visualization, positive thinking, and focused intention for wealth and success, demonstrating its enduring, if sometimes secularized, appeal.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Aspiring entrepreneurs and freelancers seeking to cultivate a mindset conducive to financial growth, moving beyond traditional "hustle culture" to focus on mental cause. • Individuals interested in the history and practical applications of the New Thought movement, particularly its influence on modern prosperity literature and psychology. • Seekers of personal development who believe in the interconnectedness of mind, spirit, and material reality and wish to explore a systematic approach to wealth attraction.
📜 Historical Context
Wallace D. Wattles' "The Science of Getting Rich" emerged in 1910, a central year for the burgeoning New Thought movement. This philosophical current, emphasizing mental alchemy and the power of positive affirmation, was gaining significant traction in America. Wattles' work stands as a direct product of this milieu, sharing intellectual space with contemporaries such as William Walker Atkinson, whose "Thought Vibration in Thought and Action" (1906) explored similar themes. The book's emphasis on a systematic, almost scientific approach to wealth attraction distinguished it, offering a practical application of metaphysical principles. While not subject to overt censorship, its ideas ran counter to prevailing materialistic economic theories, positioning it within a more spiritual and psychological discourse on prosperity. Its enduring popularity, particularly the 1975 edition, indicates a persistent societal interest in mind-over-matter philosophies for material gain.
📔 Journal Prompts
The "Formless Stuff" and its responsiveness to "Vision": How can you impress a clearer mental image of your financial goals onto this substance?
Cultivating "Faith" in the "Certain Way": What specific mental practices can strengthen your conviction that wealth is attainable through your thoughts?
Identifying "Competitive Thought" in your daily life: How does it hinder your progress towards abundance, and what are immediate alternatives?
The practice of "Gratitude" for wealth: How can you express gratitude for what you have to amplify your receptivity to more?
"Purposeful Action" towards your "Vision": What one concrete step will you take today that aligns with your goal of getting rich?
🗂️ Glossary
Certain Way
The specific method or system of thought and action prescribed by Wattles for acquiring wealth. It involves understanding and applying universal laws governing creation and abundance.
Formless Stuff
The fundamental, undifferentiated substance of the universe from which all things are made. It is intelligent and responsive to focused thought and mental impressions.
Creative Thought
A mode of thinking focused on creating value, meeting needs, and impressing a desired form upon the "Formless Stuff." It is the opposite of "Competitive Thought."
Competitive Thought
A mindset based on scarcity, viewing the world as a zero-sum game where one person's gain is another's loss. Wattles argues this leads to struggle and poverty.
Vision
A clear, detailed, and unwavering mental picture of the desired outcome, particularly wealth and financial success. This "Vision" must be held with "Faith."
Faith
Unwavering belief in the "Certain Way," the "Formless Stuff," and the power of one's own thoughts to manifest desires. It is the conviction that the universe is abundant and responsive.
Gratitude
A state of thankfulness for what one has, which aligns the individual with the spirit of abundance and opens them to receiving more. It is an active component of the "Certain Way."
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