Book SummaryThe Science of Getting Rich, by Wallace D. Wattles

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Science of Getting Rich

There is a science to getting rich. Its methods have been tested and it’s guaranteed to work because it harnesses the natural workings of the universe.

The first step to understanding the science of getting rich is to learn about the fundamental working of the universe. There are a few main concepts:

• Everything in the world is made up of a matter called “Original Substance.” Original Substance is limitless, and it’s influenced by consciousness.
• Becoming rich is natural. God and Original Substance, by nature, want life to advance. The first step to advancing is becoming rich so that you can buy the resources you need to advance.
• Resources are limitless. Because everything in the world is made of Original Substance, and Original Substance is infinite, the universe will never run out of resources.
• Don’t compete, create. Resources are infinite, so there’s no need to compete for them. Original Substance will create more of whatever you and others need.
• Gratitude is a communication method. The best way to strengthen your connection with Original Substance is through gratitude. Be grateful for what you have, be grateful for what you will have in the future, and find positivity even in what appears to...

The Science of Getting Rich Summary Introduction: The Science of Getting Rich

There is a guaranteed method—a science—to getting rich. By nature, God and the universe want you to be rich, so all you have to do is:

1. Learn some fundamental truths about the workings of the universe (covered in Chapter 1).
2. Harness what you’ve learned and work in harmony with the universe’s natural processes...

The Science of Getting Rich Summary Chapter 1: Why It’s Important to Be Rich and Other Truths About the Universe

Chapter 1 will cover some fundamental concepts and myths about the universe. We need to understand how the universe works before we can understand how to become rich.

Original Substance

Everything in the universe—you, your house, the planets—is made out of the same stuff, “Original Substance.” Original Substance is God. It is alive and intelligent. It manifests thoughts into tangible forms. For example, when the Original Substance thought of planets, physical planets formed.

By nature, Original Substance and God favor the advancement and improvement of every intelligent being, from oak trees to dolphins to you. As a result, it’s perfectly natural, even dutiful, for you to pursue wealth. You need money to buy the resources that will help you improve yourself. Your advancement is Original Substance expressing itself vicariously through you. You need to be rich in the same way a seed needs to grow into a flower. If you’re not rich, you’ll never have enough access to resources, and you’ll never achieve a full and successful life.

Advancing Yourself

There are three main aspects of our existence, all of them equally important, and all of which require money to...

Shortform Exercise: Cultivate Gratitude

You can strengthen your connection with Original Substance by working on your gratitude.

What are some positive things in your life that you’re grateful for? Why are you grateful for them?

The Science of Getting Rich Summary Chapter 2: The Certain Way

In Chapter 1, we learned how the universe works. In Chapter 2, we’ll learn how to use this understanding to become rich.

If the Original Substance favors everyone, and resources are infinite, why isn’t everyone already rich? Why aren’t you rich?

You might think it has something to do with your environment, industry, talent, thriftiness, or innovativeness. In fact, these aren’t critical factors, merely considerations. You can tell that these factors aren’t critical because the world isn’t full of cities composed entirely of rich people, or industries in which everyone is poor. All sorts of people get rich—smart people, stupid people, strong people, weak people.

There is one reason why you aren’t rich—you’re doing things wrong. To be rich, you need to do things in the “Certain Way.” Acting in the Certain Way guarantees that you will become rich, and anyone who follows the Certain Way, regardless of circumstance, will get rich. The Certain Way is the only natural, fundamental way to get rich. God will help you if you act in the Certain Way because it’s in his own nature.

Why don’t people act in the Certain Way?

• Ignorance. People don’t know about the existence...

Shortform Exercise: Follow the Certain Way

The Certain Way has three steps: think, will, and act.

Think: What is a physical possession that you want? For example, consider a house or a car. Describe it in detail. Write down both what it would look like and how you would feel while using it.

The Science of Getting Rich Summary Chapter 3: Universal Enrichment

In Chapter 2, we learned how to become rich. Chapter 3 explains how our personal wealth will contribute to enrichment on a global scale.

There are some entrenched myths about the financial situation of the global population:

• Myth #1: The only way for everyone to become rich is to overhaul government and social systems. This is not the case. If populations act in the Certain Way, no system is going to be able to stop them from becoming rich. Systems may change in response to the Certain Way, but they don’t have to change in advance of...