The Science of Getting Rich - Book Review

Man always has had the desire to get rich. He has been finding ways to become rich. One such attempt was made a hundred years back. Wallace D. Wattles claimed to have discovered the truth of New Thought principles. He wrote books containing those principles. One such book is the Science of Getting Rich.

The underlying principle of the book is that there is a thinking stuff from which all things are made. Man can form his thought and by impressing his thought upon formless substance produce the thing he wants. The author says there is abundant for everyone out there.

Apart from the usual things like act as if you have what you want, make your actions consistent with your thoughts, keep away from negative influences, the book sets forth some controversial ideas. The author says that do not spend your time in charitable work or charity movements. All charity only tends to perpetuate the wretchedness it aims to eradicate. Do not dabble in theosophy, spiritualism or kindred studies. It is very likely that the dead still live and are near; but if they are , let them alone, mind your own business.

I liked the following lines in the book. It is not right or noble to live only for the soul and deny mind or body and it is wrong to live for the intellect and live for the body or soul. Go as fast as you can but never hurry. Do, every day, all that you can do that day, and do each act in an efficient manner. Doing what you want to do is life; and there is no real satisfaction in living if we are compelled forever doing something which we do not like to do, and can never do what we want to do. There is never any hurry on the creative plane ; and there is no lack of opportunity. Wherever you find a boastful person, you find one who is secretly doubtful and afraid.

The writing style is outdated. Yet it cannot be forgotten that this is one of the first books in the self-development series. We can imagine how revolutionary the idea must have been in the year 1910 when the bookstores where not inundated with self-help and mind science book. It is for this reason the book is highly recommended.