The Science of Getting Rich - 23 Self Help Classics

Wallace Wattles

An author of the New Thought Movement, Wallace Wattles wrote “The Science of Getting Rich,” published in 1910, as a self-improvement tool to be utilized by anyone who earnestly desires to be rich. Starting with the mindset of getting rich, Wattles states that “it is not possible to live a really complete or successful life unless one is rich,” and that the ultimate goal of all life is development. So, based on these ideals, every man and woman deserves to be rich, and if they accept this fact they will be rich providing they follow the laws of nature. All people are supposed to be successful because that is the law, the correct path. And we are all expected to desire, as the desire to see a certain result is what causes people to make their decisions. Wattles believes that we need delicious and nutritious food, comfortable clothing and a warm home, as well as the right to live free from manual labor, complete with

plenty of rest and recreation. This book describes the scientific process of acquiring them.

Mind, Soul and Body

Wattles explains the science behind getting rich, stating that everyone lives for three motives:

1. Mind 2. Soul 3. Body

These three entities are developed by using them, and in order to be able to fully develop oneself it takes a great deal of money. This is the reason people should want to become rich in terms of financial wealth - so that they are able to become rich in mind, soul and body. Therefore, there is “nothing wrong in wanting to get rich.” “The Science of Getting Rich” explains how this differs between religious doctrines and worldviews that are persistent in today's society. One example Wattles

describes is the use of poverty by government to control people, which is unfortunately still happening today.

In order to feed our mind, we need to set aside time to read intellectually stimulating material, spend more time

traveling to observe other cultures and create friendships with a great network of different people. Beautiful sculptures and portraits should line our walls, and we should be educated so that we are able to appreciate and understand art. If we are to feed our soul, we must love, and “love is denied expression by poverty.” This is seen in the number of failed marriages due to money issues. Gift-giving is our greatest joy in life, just as long

as the giver is honest in their motives.

As for feeding our body, everyone always jumps straight to what we are eating and they overlook the outside and our appearance to others. This is just as important for that very reason that our body is the first thing seen by others. It is a direct reflection of our inner self. So if we want to be seen as healthy and happy, we should dress comfortably and in clothing that is representative of our inner self. Our body must have nutritious foods or else the chemical effects of foods that are popular today can wreak havoc on our systems. We should be eating the most nutritious foods we can afford.

Road to Riches

The method to become rich means you must do things a certain way. This book goes into great detail about the certain way, and what not to do if you want to get rich. Do not go get an education or learn a talent, and then assume you will

become rich overnight without any extra effort. Trying to get rich by being thrifty and stingy does not work either. The way to get rich involves social interaction and a mind that can think.

Anyone can get rich because it comes from thoughts of the mind. Wattles continues with steps and assumptions about this idea of getting rich. The idea is that every thought is really

formless substance that can become real and physical if we concentrate on the idea intensely and for a length of time. He uses science and the laws of nature to secure his premise.

Religious dogma is questioned as Wattles professes that doubt is the same thing as sin, and that God or any supernatural Deity does not want us to be poor in order to get to heaven. In fact, Wattles wrote that God or the Higher Being wants us to be rich because He exists through us, and as we live happy and peaceful lives, so does He.

“The Science of Getting Rich” has a positivist message, and extends that no one should want to get rich for personal ambitions, fame or just to help others. Getting rich should be a means to a purpose, and simply wanting to be rich is not

enough. Once you become rich you are expected to eat, drink, travel and spend your wealth learning and sharing love and kind deeds. In fact, God does not require you to sacrifice your life for others. The author explains how competing for riches is a poor choice, since people typically lie, cheat and take

advantage of others in competition of any kind, and this goes against Wattle's ideals. Instead, people are born with the need to create by using their mind in order to become successful, and rich. It is not necessary to beat people out of something in business. The principle of advancement says to treat a business

as if it were a never-ending ladder that everyone is constantly climbing, and moving up in their career.

Gratitude

Gratitude is a substantial concept as “the mental attitude of gratitude draws the mind into closer touch with the source from which the blessings come,” the perfect unity of mind with God. The Law of Gratitude is the natural principle that action and reaction are always equal, and in opposite directions.

Without gratitude, it must follow that you will be unhappy and dissatisfied with your life, and this will be carried out in your thoughts thus reverberating the problem of a miserable

existence. This could be seen as some form of depression within the mind. You must always be grateful for good things that come your way and give thanks for them. Be positive and do not dwell or focus on the bad stuff in your life if you intend on changing them.

Poverty

If the task of getting rich is to work then you must be bold in your statement of becoming rich, and you must make a clear and specific mental image in your mind. Those people who can develop such an image and can act with productive and fervent

desire will achieve their goal. In order for the desire to

manifest itself into the physical world, you must have total faith that it will become yours, as even the least bit of doubt will grow. Charity work is considered inappropriate at this time for those wanting to get rich, because any association with poverty reduces the amount of effort to get rich. The author continues that to end poverty anywhere in the world, all we have to do is to increase the number of people who use purpose with faith to get rich, or follow the instructions from this book. The poverty stricken need inspiration in life in order to overcome their obstacles.

The author also discusses the evolutionary process in world order, emphasizing we should not procrastinate. Every minute of every day should be savored as the most important moment of our lives and given just as much zeal and

dedication. All of our energy needs to be as focused as possible to make change, and this is where we evolve into a more

intellectual and harmonious human being.

Is this Program for ME?

This program of self-improvement is solely for the benefit of getting rich. Anyone who really wants to become wealthy can use this method to learn the secrets of financial success.

The participant of this program must be able to meet the

requirements of satisfying the body, mind and soul in order to achieve success.

Sum of it All

“The Science of Getting Rich” begins with the belief that everyone has the right and responsibility to become rich

financially so that they are able to be rich in all other aspects of their life. Through the holistic approach of studying the mind, body and soul and learning how they interact, Wattles takes this knowledge and has written a guide to becoming rich. The Law of Gratitude provides the natural law in which to anchor this self-development method. However, it must be noted that anyone who uses this book to become rich must follow the instructions and guidelines. Otherwise, failure and poverty will be the great success rather than riches. Wanting to be rich to fulfill personal fame or glory is discouraged, but the use of this book to gain riches for personal success is expected.

Self-Development And The Way To

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