Wallace D. Wattles's The Science of Getting Rich, published in 1910, is a short public-domain book arguing that a person can prosper by thinking clearly about what they want and then acting on it in an efficient, honest way. It is one of the sources behind The Secret. This page explains who Wattles was, the core ideas, what The Secret took from him, and how to read the book today with a level head. It makes no promise about anyone's income.
Who Wallace Wattles was
Wallace Delmar Wattles (1860 to 1911) was an American writer from the Midwest who wrote on New Thought and on personal development. The Science of Getting Rich came out in 1910, the year before he died, and it is by far his best-known work. He also wrote The Science of Being Well and The Science of Being Great. His tone is plain and confident, and the chapters are brief. A typical chapter makes one claim, gives a short argument for it, and ends with a line to remember. That format is part of why the book has stayed in print for over a century and why speakers and coaches still quote it.
Because it is in the public domain, you can read the full text for free. Try Project Gutenberg or the Internet Archive, and check that you have the 1910 text, as some modern editions add commentary.
The core ideas, in his words and in plain English
Wattles builds his case in a run of short steps. He begins with a claim that everyone has a right to a full life, and that wanting more is natural. He then argues that getting rich follows definite laws, that anyone doing things in "a certain way" will succeed, and that this way has two halves: thinking in a certain way, and acting in a certain way.
Tip. Notice that Wattles pairs thought with action in nearly every chapter. He says outright that thinking alone is not enough, and readers who skip that half often come away thinking he promised something he did not.
His chapters, in order, cover the right to be rich, the idea that a science of getting rich exists, opportunity and its supply, the first principle, increasing life, how riches come to you, gratitude, thinking in the certain way, the use of the will, acting in the certain way, efficient action, getting into the right business, the impression of increase, the advancing man, some cautions and a summary.
The main ideas at a glance
| Idea | What Wattles says | A modern way to read it |
|---|---|---|
| A "thinking substance" | One intelligent source underlies all things | A spiritual claim; take it as belief or as metaphor |
| Gratitude | Stay grateful to the source of good | A daily thanks practice, as in things to be grateful for |
| A clear picture | Hold a definite image of what you want | Specific goals guide attention and choices |
| Faith and purpose | Keep a steady purpose without doubt | Persistence and a stable plan |
| Acting in a certain way | Do what is in front of you, efficiently, today | Show up and finish small tasks well |
| Increase for all | Give more in use than you take in cash | Create real value for others |
| Competition versus creation | Create, rather than compete for a fixed pie | Look for needs others have not met |
What The Secret took from Wattles
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne (2006) gathers many teachers under one message. Byrne has credited Wattles's book as an early source for her research, and his fingerprints show in the film's emphasis on gratitude, on holding a picture of what you want, and on the idea that thoughts and feelings play a role in results. What The Secret tends to leave out is his long insistence on effort. Wattles says you must act, and act well, each day. If you want to understand how his ideas were repackaged, The Secret explained goes through it, and the law of attraction explained sets out the wider idea.
The part about gratitude
One of his chapters is devoted to gratitude. He recommends a thankful attitude toward the source of good, partly because it keeps a person from a sense of lack. Many readers take this as the most practical takeaway. You can try it without adopting any of his metaphysics: notice what you have, say thanks, and let that steady your view of what you want. The page on abundance mindset looks at this shift in more detail.
How to read the book today
It helps to read Wattles as a historical voice. He wrote in 1910, in a time when self-improvement books were full of confidence and often assumed that anyone could rise through effort alone. Modern readers know that background, luck, health, discrimination and timing also shape financial outcomes, and that people in hard circumstances are not failing at a technique. The book does not account for that. Take its useful pieces, such as clear goals, daily effort and honest dealing, and leave its sweeping promises alone.
Psychology backs the smaller claims. Clear goals, plans for obstacles and steady habits are linked with follow-through. It does not support the larger claim that thoughts alone bring wealth. This page is not financial advice, and if money is a worry, a fee-only adviser or a nonprofit credit counsellor is a better guide than any book from 1910.
Creating, and the idea of increase
One theme that deserves more attention than it gets is Wattles's view of business. He argues that a person should aim to create rather than compete, and that every deal should leave the other side better off than before. In his words, you give more in use value than you take in cash value. Whether or not you accept his metaphysics, this is a respectable rule of thumb for work: make something useful, treat people fairly, and let your reputation grow. It also explains his chapter on the "right business," where he suggests choosing work that uses your strengths and interests.
He adds a note on the feeling of growth. Wattles says a person should want to advance and to give others the chance to advance too, so that each customer, colleague or friend feels lifted. That is a warm, cooperative picture of ambition, and many readers find it a relief after the harder tone of modern hustle culture.
Cautions worth keeping in mind
The book is confident to the point of overreach in places. It says success is certain for anyone who follows the method, which no honest teacher can guarantee today. It also treats poverty as something a person can simply think their way out of. If you are dealing with debt, unstable housing or a health problem, please treat that part gently. Real help, such as budgeting support or a local charity, can be a better first step than any mental exercise.
You may also notice the religious tone. Wattles speaks of an intelligent substance and of a creative source, and he sometimes writes in a way that sounds like a sermon. Readers of many beliefs, or none, can take the practical layer and set aside the language that does not fit. And as with any book from this era, a few examples reflect the assumptions of 1910 that no longer hold.
A small practice inspired by the book
If you want to try the book's spirit in ten minutes a day, here is a simple version. First, write one clear sentence about something you would like to improve in your work or finances. Second, write one thing you are grateful for that relates to it. Third, pick one action you can finish today, however small, and do it as well as you can. Fourth, at the end of the day, write one line on how it went. Repeat for two weeks and read your notes. If you already keep a daily manifestation routine, slot these four steps into it rather than starting a new habit. This mirrors his call to think clearly and act in a certain way, without asking you to believe more than you do.
You can also link it with a mindset check. Self-concept work asks who you believe you are, which often shapes what you attempt. And scripting can help you write the scene you have in mind before you take the step.
Where manifestlings fits
Wattles wrote about daily steps and steady attention. manifestlings offers a gentle place for that kind of habit. It is a virtual pet, a dreamling, that grows on what you practise. Around it sit a wish you can look at again, a short game made from your words, small rituals, care on the real clock, and a guided meditation with 4-2-6 breathing. It cannot promise an outcome, and your own steps count most.
It is coming soon to the App Store for iPhone, with Android later. You sign in once, and every new account starts with 7 days of Premium free, followed by a free core.
Questions people ask
What is The Science of Getting Rich about?
A 1910 book that teaches that prospering follows a method: think clearly about what you want, stay grateful, and act efficiently each day. It pairs thought with action throughout.
Is The Science of Getting Rich in the public domain?
Yes. It was published in 1910 and free copies can be found on Project Gutenberg and the Internet Archive.
Is The Science of Getting Rich the basis of The Secret?
It is one of the sources Rhonda Byrne has credited, and many of The Secret's themes of gratitude, clear pictures and belief echo it.
Does The Science of Getting Rich work?
Its practical parts, clear goals, daily effort and useful work, are sensible. It cannot promise income, and outside factors such as health, timing and circumstances also matter.
