Review: The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles

Recently there has been a lot of chatter online about The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles, and some gurus are offering programs that follow the principles outlined in the book, along with a copy of the book as a bonus. I read The Science of Getting Rich a few years ago, but I thought I would read it again with new lens. You have to read this book with an open mind, and the title of the book is often a turnoff for many. The book is not just about becoming wealthy in terms of money; it’s about living a fulfilled life and tapping into your true potential. It’s what true wealth is about.

Wallace Wattles is the godfather of the personal development field and he was a man ahead of his time. While reading The Science of Getting Rich I experienced a feeling of déjà vu, like I had been down this road before. And I had, his concept is essentially The Law of Attraction. Key to Yourself by Venice Bloodworth published in 1952, says many of the same things, in exactly the same way that Wattles said them. In the film The Secret, the book that the creator Rhonda Byrne refers to that impacted her, is The Science of Getting Rich. It’s fascinating to see where the Law of Attraction began, even if it wasn’t called that at the time.

Published in 1910, the author says in his book that it is abnormal not to want to be rich, because being rich is the only way you can realize your full potential, and that there is an exact science to getting rich, like algebra or arithmetic. Anyone who follows the law will become rich with mathematical certainty. To become rich, you have to do things a Certain Way.

Because the book was published a century ago, the language used may appear odd. He talks about Formless Stuff, Original Substance, Formless Living Substance, Formless Intelligence and so on. He is talking about what we refer to today as energy.

Even though Wattles focuses a lot on visualizing what you want, having a clear mental image, and behaving as if you already have what you want, taking personal action is stated outright in many sections. “When you know what to think and do, then you must use your will to compel yourself to think and do the right things… You must not rely upon thought alone, paying no attention to personal action. That is the rock upon which many otherwise scientific metaphysical thinkers meet shipwreck–the failure to connect thought with personal action.”

This time around, I enjoyed reading The Science of Getting Rich and I saw things I do not remember seeing before. Despite the name, it’s quite uplifting and inspiring, and it teaches many lessons such as a grateful heart, humility and thinking abundantly. Here are some takeaways from the book, which will appear familiar to you.

• Everything first started with a thought. You have to imagine what you want before it is manifested


• Everything is created from one thing, energy – in many different forms


• Man is capable of original thought and has the capacity to cause the creation of what he thinks about


• You have the ability to become who you want to be, and create what you want to create


• Take action now


• Live for the body, mind and soul – all are equally important for us to live fully


• People do best in a business that they like and that they have the necessary skills for, but getting rich is not dependent on any particular business


• Opportunity comes from different directions, and there is an abundance of opportunities. Go with the tide instead of swimming against it


• There is more than enough for all


• The way you do things is a result of the way you think about them


• You are in a better position to help others, if you first help yourself to realize your true potential


• Create instead of competing


• Give more in “use” value than you take in “cash” value. So if you sell a book, the content must have a higher value than the cost of the book


• Think big, think abundance and go for the grande


• The more grateful you are, the more you receive


• To become the best, surround yourself with the best

If you are knowledgeable about the Law of Attraction, the contents of The Science of Getting Rich will be familiar, but it would still be worth your while to read it to see where things began. It is important to look at a concept and see how it evolved over one hundred years. Did the concept of the Law of Attraction expand or contract during those one hundred years? After reading The Science of Getting Rich, I was reminded of the quote, which sums up the book, “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, feed him for a lifetime.” When we assist others to better their situations, we should do so in ways that will make a tangible difference in their lives. When we give people a process to follow, they can now help themselves.

Review: The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles