The Science of Getting Rich — Detailed Summary

The Science of Getting Rich, written by Wallace D. Wattles in 1910, is one of the earliest and most influential books in the self-help and prosperity literature. The book became a foundation for later works on the law of attraction, abundance mindset, and personal development. Although written more than a century ago, it remains widely read today because of its simple yet powerful philosophy: getting rich is a science, not luck, talent, or chance.

Below is an in-depth analysis of the book’s message, themes, concepts, and practical lessons.

1. The Core Idea of the Book

Wattles argues that becoming rich is a scientific process, governed by universal laws. Anyone who follows these laws with faith, clarity, and consistent action must become rich. According to him:

“There is a Thinking Substance from which all things are made.”

This is the foundational belief of the book. Everything in the universe, including humans, emerges from a formless, intelligent, universal substance. Thoughts have the power to influence this substance and bring things from the invisible (mind) to the visible (reality).
Therefore:

Right thinking creates wealth.
Wrong thinking creates limitation.
A clear vision, held with faith, backed by purposeful action, inevitably leads to riches.

2. The Right to Be Rich

Wattles argues strongly that every human being has the right to be rich. Poverty is unnecessary and prevents a person from developing their full potential. Richness is not about greed; it is about living a complete, fulfilled life.

You cannot develop your talents, raise an ideal family, help others, or serve humanity properly unless you have money. He stresses:

It is not sinful to desire wealth.
It is your moral right to improve your conditions.
Becoming rich helps you serve others more effectively.

This section encourages people who feel guilty about wanting financial success.

3. The Science of Getting Rich (The Thinking Process)

According to Wattles, wealth creation starts in the mind before it appears in the material world. He calls this the “Certain Way of Thinking.”

Key mental principles:

1. Think in a Certain Way

You must think creatively—not competitively.
Creative thinking means imagining abundance, improvement, growth, and expansion.
Competitive thinking focuses on scarcity and fear.

2. Create a Mental Picture

A powerful point in the book is the practice of building a clear mental vision of what you want. Not vague wishes—specific, vivid, detailed imagination.

3. Hold Your Vision with Faith

Once you create a clear picture of your desired future:

Don’t doubt.
Don’t worry about obstacles.
Don’t fear competition.
Don’t allow negative surroundings to influence your belief.

Faith is the magnet that pulls the unseen into the seen.

4. Gratitude

A strong spirit of gratitude keeps you connected to the universal intelligence. Wattles is very firm about gratitude—without it, your creative process loses power. Gratitude transforms your mindset from scarcity to abundance.

4. The Importance of Action

Thinking alone does not bring wealth. Action is essential.

But action must be taken in a “Certain Way.”

Wattles says:

Act where you are.
Use what you have.
Do all you can do today.
Each day, do every task efficiently and with excellence.
Don’t wait for the “perfect time” or “better conditions.”

The Efficient Action

He teaches that:

Doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way leads to wealth.
Become a person of value.
Deliver more value than you receive in money.

This creates expansion and prosperity.

5. The Vision + Faith + Action Formula

Wattles presents a simple but powerful formula:

1. A clear mental picture

2. Faith that it will come

3. Grateful expectation

4. Acting efficiently every day

When these combine, he says, creation becomes inevitable. The universe begins rearranging itself to bring opportunities, people, ideas, and resources into your life.

6. The Creative vs Competitive Plane

A core teaching is avoiding competition.

Competitive Mindset:

Believes resources are limited.
Creates jealousy, fear, stress.
Leads to unethical behavior.
Blocks creativity and abundance.

Creative Mindset:

Believes in unlimited resources.
Focuses on creation instead of fighting.
Encourages cooperation, optimism, and growth.
Attracts new opportunities.

Wattles insists:

You cannot get rich by taking wealth from others;
you get rich by creating more value than currently exists.

7. Getting Rich Through Business and Value

The book emphasizes providing value.

You become rich by making others rich.

Give people more use-value than you take in cash-value.
Make your product, service, or skill improve their life.
Whatever job you do, do it with excellence.
Don’t chase money; chase improvement, service, and expansion.

According to Wattles:

“Your life becomes successful when you give more to the world than you take.”

This attracts money naturally.

8. Overcoming Doubt, Fear, and Failure

Wattles acknowledges that doubt will come, but teaches how to overcome it:

1. Replace fear with faith

Fear collapses your power; faith increases it.

2. Don’t pay attention to appearances

The world may look limited, but that’s an illusion of the senses.

3. Keep your mind on abundance

Don’t think about poverty or complain about others.

4. Never criticize or condemn

Negative emotions block your creative force.

5. Don’t worry about how the universe will deliver

Your job is clarity and action; the universe handles the logistics.

9. The Power of Gratitude (One of the Strongest Lessons)

Wattles dedicates an entire chapter to gratitude, calling it the most important attitude in getting rich.

Gratitude does three things:

1. Connects you to the Source

When you are grateful, you tune your mind to the universal intelligence.

2. Keeps you aligned with abundance

A grateful mind never thinks of lack or limitation.

3. Increases your faith

Being thankful for what you already have makes you confident that more is coming.

Wattles recommends:

Start and end your day with gratitude.
Be grateful for every small progress.
Be grateful even before a desire is fulfilled.

10. The Impression of Increase

This is one of Wattles’ unique ideas.

“Give every person the impression of increase.”

It means:

Make everyone feel that by knowing you, buying from you, or dealing with you, their life becomes bigger.
Look people in the eye, talk confidently, be positive.
Leave people with hope, enthusiasm, and optimism.
Don’t gossip, complain, or talk negativity.

When people associate you with growth and betterment, your success becomes unstoppable.

11. The Role of Faith and Purpose

Two pillars support the creative process:

1. Faith

A calm trust that things will work out.
Confidence that the universe responds to your thoughts.

2. Purpose

A clear objective.
A burning desire backed with commitment.

Without purpose, thinking is scattered; with purpose, thinking is powerful.

12. Why People Fail to Get Rich

Wattles highlights several reasons:

1. They think in contradictory ways

One moment they believe in abundance, the next moment they fear scarcity.

2. They act inefficiently

Lazy, delayed, careless action wastes opportunities.

3. They focus on competition

This blocks creativity and abundance.

4. They don’t persist

Richness requires sustained thinking and consistent action.

5. They worry too much about the “how”

Your job is the “what” and “why.”
The universe takes care of the “how.”

13. The Spiritual and Philosophical Foundation

Wattles combines spirituality with practicality:

The universe is abundant.
There is endless opportunity.
Every person has unlimited potential.
Thoughts shape reality.
The creative force of the universe responds to human intention.

His message is optimistic, empowering, and hopeful.

14. Practical Steps (Modern Interpretation)

Even after more than 100 years, the principles are still applicable.

1. Set clear financial goals

Know the exact lifestyle, income, and future you want.

2. Visualize daily

Spend a few minutes imagining your goals already achieved.

3. Practice gratitude

Write 5 things you feel thankful for each day.

4. Work with excellence

Do every task with maximum quality.

5. Learn valuable skills

Increase your ability to serve others.

6. Think abundance—not limitation

Avoid negative news, comparisons, jealousy, and scarcity thinking.

7. Take consistent action

Daily small improvements create long-term wealth (like compounding).

15. Strengths and Criticisms of the Book

Strengths:

Simple and powerful concepts.
Motivates the reader to take action.
Encourages positive thinking.
Combines spirituality with strategy.
Offers a moral framework for wealth creation.
Provides timeless lessons still used in modern self-help.

Criticisms:

Some readers may find the metaphysical ideas too abstract.
It doesn’t provide business strategies—only principles.
Over-emphasizes thought-power, less on practical planning.
Suggests that anyone can get rich by following the formula, which might not consider external inequalities.

Despite criticisms, the core message remains powerful and relevant.

16. Islamic Perspective (Briefly)

(Since you previously asked about Islamic compatibility—here is a quick point. If you want a full Islamic analysis, I can write that too.)

The book discusses:

Gratitude
Hard work
Honesty
Avoiding jealousy
Helping others
Thinking positively
Trust in a higher power

These are all compatible with Islamic values.

However:

The idea that “thought shapes the universe directly”
Or that “mind alone brings wealth”

is not fully aligned with Islamic aqeedah.
Islam teaches:

✔ Dua + Tawakkul ✔ Hard work ✔ Halal income ✔ Gratitude ✔ Service
but ultimately Allah is the One who gives rizq, not the “universal substance.”

You can benefit from the book as long as you ignore metaphysical claims that contradict Islamic belief.

Conclusion

The Science of Getting Rich is a timeless classic that teaches:

Wealth is possible for anyone.
Your thoughts shape your reality.
Faith, gratitude, and vision are essential.
You must give more value than you receive.
Consistent, efficient action creates success.

The book is not about greed—it is about self-improvement, creative action, abundance thinking, and personal excellence.

The Science of Getting Rich written by Wallace D. Wattles Read Book Now by Islamicbooks.online