The Science of Getting Rich

Book Details

Title	The Science of Getting Rich
Author(s)	Wallace D. Wattles
Publisher	Thinking Stuff LLC
Year	2007
Edition	Reprint Edition
Language	English
Pages	66
ISBN	9780977571726
Genre	Self-Help, Personal Finance, New Thought
Series	Unknown
Size	0.269 MB
Extension	PDF

Summary

The Science of Getting Rich is a slim but influential volume that has quietly shaped the landscape of modern prosperity literature for over a century. Written by Wallace D. Wattles and originally published in 1910 by the Elizabeth Towne Company, the book emerged from the New Thought movement, a philosophical and spiritual current that held that positive thinking and mental discipline could produce tangible results in the material world [citation:1][citation:5]. Despite its modest original print run and Wattles' own obscurity during his lifetime, the text has never gone out of print and has been rediscovered by successive generations of readers seeking a practical, non-mystical approach to wealth creation [citation:4]. The edition referenced here, published in 2007 by Thinking Stuff LLC, presents the complete original text in a compact 66-page format, making Wattles' core arguments accessible to contemporary audiences.

The book's structure is deceptively simple. Wattles divides his treatise into seventeen short, direct chapters that progress logically from the foundational premise—that there is a science to getting rich, and that the right to be rich is unassailable—through the mechanics of creative thought, gratitude, and what he calls "thinking in the certain way" [citation:8]. Central to his argument is the distinction between competitive thought and creative thought. Wattles insists that wealth is not a finite pie to be fought over but something that can be continuously created through the proper mental attitude and corresponding action. He also introduces the principle of "use value" exceeding "cash value," urging readers to always deliver more in service than they receive in payment, a concept that anticipates modern discussions of value creation and ethical business practice.

What distinguishes The Science of Getting Rich from many later works in the prosperity genre is Wattles' insistence on action. He does not suggest that wealth arrives through wishful thinking alone. Instead, he argues for a disciplined combination of clear mental vision, unwavering faith, deep gratitude, and what he terms "efficient action"—doing each task with complete attention and purpose in the present moment. His advice is pragmatic: choose a business or profession that aligns with your talents, act with determination rather than haste, and maintain a mindset of increase rather than scarcity. The book's emphasis on gratitude as a prerequisite for abundance, and its warning against competitive or envious thoughts, reflects its New Thought roots while also offering timeless psychological insight into the relationship between mindset and material outcomes.

The Science of Getting Rich is intended for anyone interested in the intersection of thought, behavior, and financial success, from readers new to the self-help genre to those familiar with its more recent manifestations. Its brevity and clarity make it an accessible entry point for students, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking a foundational text in prosperity philosophy. While it was written in a different era and reflects the language and assumptions of its time, the core principles Wattles articulates have proven remarkably durable. The book is perhaps best read not as a literal manual for overnight wealth but as a historical document that illuminates the roots of contemporary ideas about manifestation, abundance, and the power of focused intention.

The book's reputation has grown considerably since Wattles' death in 1911. It was a direct inspiration for Rhonda Byrne's The Secret, the 2006 book and film that brought the law of attraction into mainstream popular culture [citation:5]. This connection has introduced countless new readers to Wattles' original text, many of whom are surprised to discover how concise and practical it is compared to its modern derivatives. For those seeking a clear, unembellished statement of the principles that later became the foundation of an entire industry, The Science of Getting Rich remains an essential and surprisingly readable starting point.

Key Features

• The book presents a complete philosophy of wealth creation in just seventeen short, direct chapters, making it one of the most concise works in the prosperity genre.
• Wattles argues that getting rich is a science governed by cause and effect, not a matter of luck or divine favor, and that anyone can learn and apply its principles.
• The text draws a sharp distinction between competitive thought and creative thought, insisting that wealth can be continuously created rather than merely redistributed.
• It introduces the principle of providing more in "use value" than one receives in "cash value" as a foundational ethic for sustainable success.
• Wattles emphasizes gratitude as an essential practice, arguing that a grateful mind is a prerequisite for attracting and maintaining abundance.
• The book outlines the concept of "thinking in the certain way," a disciplined mental practice of holding a clear vision while acting in the present.
• It stresses the importance of efficient action, advocating for focused, purposeful work in the present moment rather than frantic or scattered effort.
• Wattles includes practical guidance on choosing the right business or profession, advising readers to align their work with their natural talents and temperament.
• The original text, originally published in 1910, has never gone out of print and has influenced generations of success writers and thinkers.
• It was a primary inspiration for Rhonda Byrne's The Secret, making it a foundational document in the modern law of attraction movement.
• The book is notable for its brevity and directness, avoiding excessive mysticism and focusing instead on actionable mental and behavioral principles.
• Wattles recommends that readers test his theories on themselves rather than accepting his authority, reflecting a pragmatic and empirical approach to self-improvement.
• The 2007 Thinking Stuff LLC edition presents the complete original text in a compact format suitable for modern readers.
• It remains a valuable historical document for understanding the origins of contemporary abundance and manifestation teachings.

About Author

Wallace Delois Wattles was born in 1860 in the United States, shortly before the Civil War, and died in 1911 at the age of fifty-one [citation:3][citation:14]. His life was marked by considerable struggle and failure in his earlier years, a fact he did not hide and which lends his later writings a credibility born of personal experience rather than inherited privilege. He traveled to Chicago, where he encountered leading figures of the New Thought movement including Emma Curtis Hopkins and William Walker Atkinson, and he lectured on New Thought principles in Indiana [citation:3]. His primary publisher was Elizabeth Towne, based in Massachusetts, who brought The Science of Getting Rich to print in 1910.

Wattles was a tireless student of philosophy and religion, studying the works of Hegel, Emerson, Spinoza, Schopenhauer, and Swedenborg, among others [citation:3][citation:7]. He personally tested the principles he wrote about, and his daughter Florence recalled that "he lived every page" of his books, maintaining a constant mental picture of himself as a successful writer and a man of power [citation:7]. In his later years, he claimed to have achieved a measure of prosperity after a lifetime of poverty. Beyond The Science of Getting Rich, his works include The Science of Being Great, The Science of Being Well, and Health Through New Thought and Fasting. Despite his influence on later generations, details of his personal life remain sparse, and he remains a somewhat obscure figure whose ideas have outlived his biographical footprint.

Related Books

• The Science of Being Great — Wallace D. Wattles
• The Science of Being Well — Wallace D. Wattles
• Think and Grow Rich — Napoleon Hill
• The Secret — Rhonda Byrne
• As a Man Thinketh — James Allen
• The Master Key System — Charles F. Haanel
• The Law of Success — Napoleon Hill
• Feeling Is the Secret — Neville Goddard

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FAQ

Q : Is The Science of Getting Rich a religious book?

R : The book emerges from the New Thought movement, which is a spiritual and philosophical current rather than a formal religion. Wattles writes in a way that is accessible to readers of various faiths or none, focusing on what he presents as universal principles of thought and action rather than on doctrine or worship. He references a "Supreme Power" and "Formless Substance" in somewhat abstract terms, allowing readers to interpret these concepts according to their own beliefs. The book is best understood as a practical philosophy of prosperity with spiritual underpinnings, not as a sectarian religious text.

Q : How does this book relate to Rhonda Byrne's The Secret?

R : The Science of Getting Rich was a direct and significant inspiration for Rhonda Byrne's The Secret, which brought the law of attraction into mainstream popular culture in 2006 [citation:5]. Many of the core ideas that Byrne popularized—the power of focused thought, the importance of gratitude, and the concept of creative versus competitive thinking—can be traced directly back to Wattles' 1910 text. Readers familiar with The Secret will recognize the intellectual lineage immediately, though Wattles' original is considerably shorter, more direct, and less reliant on the language of quantum physics that characterizes some later manifestations of the law of attraction.

Q : Does Wattles claim that anyone can become rich, regardless of their circumstances?

R : Wattles does argue that the opportunity to become wealthy is not monopolized and that the universe contains limitless abundance available to all who apply the principles he describes. However, he does not suggest that wealth arrives without effort or that circumstances are irrelevant. He emphasizes the importance of choosing the right business, acting efficiently, and providing genuine value to others. His argument is that the primary barriers to wealth are mental and behavioral rather than structural or circumstantial, a position that reflects the optimism of the New Thought movement and has been both praised and criticized by later readers.

Q : What is meant by "thinking in the certain way"?

R : "Thinking in the certain way" is one of Wattles' central concepts, referring to a disciplined mental practice of holding a clear and unwavering vision of one's desired outcome while simultaneously maintaining gratitude for what one already has. It involves refusing to dwell on doubt, fear, or images of failure, and instead directing the mind consistently toward the desired result. Wattles presents this not as wishful thinking but as a rigorous mental discipline that, when combined with efficient action, aligns one's thoughts and behaviors with the goal of wealth. The phrase captures his conviction that the manner of thinking is as important as the content of thought.

Q : Is the book only about money, or does it address other aspects of life?

R : While the primary focus of The Science of Getting Rich is financial prosperity, Wattles frames wealth as a means to a fuller life rather than an end in itself. He argues that the desire for riches is fundamentally a desire for a richer, more complete existence—one that allows for personal growth, contribution, and the expression of one's potential. The principles he outlines, such as gratitude, creative thinking, and efficient action, are applicable to other areas of life as well. However, readers seeking a comprehensive guide to well-being should note that Wattles addressed health and greatness in separate companion volumes, The Science of Being Well and The Science of Being Great.

Q : How long does it take to read the book, and is it suitable for beginners?

R : At approximately 66 pages in this edition, The Science of Getting Rich can be read in a single sitting of an hour or two, though its density and practical orientation reward slower, repeated reading. It is highly suitable for beginners precisely because of its brevity and directness; Wattles avoids jargon and mystical obscurity, presenting his principles in plain language. Newcomers to the prosperity genre will find it an accessible entry point, while more experienced readers will appreciate its historical significance and the clarity of its foundational arguments.

Q : Was Wallace D. Wattles himself wealthy?

R : Wattles experienced considerable poverty and failure in his earlier life, a fact he acknowledged and which gives his writing a practical rather than theoretical quality. He claimed that through the study and application of New Thought principles, he eventually achieved a measure of prosperity and success in his later years [citation:7]. His daughter Florence recalled that he lived every page of his books and maintained a constant vision of himself as a successful writer. However, he died in 1911, only a year after the publication of The Science of Getting Rich, so his period of claimed prosperity was relatively brief, and detailed records of his financial state are scarce.

Q : Does the book contain any exercises or practical steps?

R : The Science of Getting Rich is not a workbook with structured exercises, but it is highly prescriptive in its guidance. Wattles instructs readers to form a clear mental picture of what they want, to hold that picture with faith and gratitude, to avoid competitive thoughts, to act efficiently in the present moment, and to choose a business that aligns with their talents. Each chapter concludes with practical implications for behavior and mindset. The book is designed to be applied rather than merely read, and Wattles explicitly encourages readers to test his principles on themselves rather than accepting his authority.