Table of Contents
The money-making secret with a scientific basis has been described in one of the outstanding books of all time ‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill. This book was published in 1937. The principles described in this book are universal and hold true even today.
Andrew Carnegie’s Desire
The reason for writing this book is really fascinating and it reveals the secret of making money. This journey of writing this book is very well described by Napoleon Hill himself as below.
“The secret was brought to my attention by Andrew Carnegie (a Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist) more than a quarter of a century ago. The smart, lovable old Scotsman carelessly tossed it into my mind when I was but a boy. Then he sat back in his chair, with a merry twinkle in his eyes, and watched carefully to see if I had brains enough to understand the full significance of what he had said to me.
When he saw that I had grasped the idea, he asked if I would be willing to spend 20 years or more preparing myself to take it to the world to men and women who, without the secret, might go through life as failures. I said I would, and with Mr. Carnegie’s cooperation, I have kept my promise.
Practical Test of Thousands
This book contains the secret, after having been put to a practical test by thousands of people in almost every walk of life. It was Mr. Carnegie’s idea that the magic formula which gave him a stunning fortune ought to be placed within reach of everyone who does not have time to investigate how successful people make money. It was his hope that I might test and demonstrate the soundness of the formula through the experience of men and women in every calling. He believed the formula should be taught in all public schools and colleges, and he expressed the opinion that if it were properly taught, it would so revolutionize the entire educational system that the time spent in school could be reduced to less than half.
His experience with Charles M. Schwab and other young associates of Mr. Schwab’s type convinced Mr. Carnegie that much of what is taught in schools and colleges is of no value whatsoever in connection with the business of earning a living or accumulating riches. He had arrived at this decision because he had taken into his business one young person after another, many of them with but little schooling, and by coaching them in the use of this formula, developed in them rare leadership. Moreover, his coaching made fortunes for every one of them who followed his instructions.
Even before it had undergone 20 years of practical testing, the secret was passed on to many thousands of men and women who have used it for their personal benefit, as Mr. Carnegie planned that they should. Many have made fortunes with it. Others have used it successfully in creating harmony in their homes.
Secret in Each Chapter
The secret to which I refer is mentioned no fewer than a hundred times throughout this book. It has not been directly named, for it seems to work more successfully when it is merely uncovered and left in sight, where THOSE WHO ARE READY and SEARCHING FOR IT may pick it up. That is why Mr. Carnegie tossed it to me so quietly, without giving me its specific name. If you are READY to put it to use, you will recognize this secret at least once in every chapter. I wish I might feel privileged to tell you how you will know if you are ready, but that would deprive you of much of the benefit you will receive when you make the discovery in your own way.
This secret was used extensively by President Woodrow Wilson during the First World War. It was passed on to every soldier who fought in the war, carefully incorporated or “embedded” in the training he received before going to the front. President Wilson told me it was also a strong factor in raising the funds needed for the war.
A peculiar thing about this secret is that those who once acquire it and use it find themselves literally swept on to success, with what seems to be little effort, and they never again submit to failure! If you doubt this, study the names of those who have used it wherever they have been mentioned, check their records for yourself, and be convinced.
Success Secret to All
The secret serves equally well all who are ready for it. Education has nothing to do with it. Long before I was born, the secret had found its way into the possession of Thomas A. Edison, and he used it so intelligently that he became the world’s greatest inventor, although he had but three months of schooling.
The secret was passed on to a business associate of Mr. Edison. He used it so effectively that, although he was then making only $12,000 a year, he accumulated a great fortune and retired from active business while still a young man. It should convince you that riches are not beyond your reach, that you can still be what you wish to be, that money, fame, recognition, and happiness can be had by all who are ready and determined to have these blessings.
Analysis of Well-Known Individuals
While I was performing the more than 20-year task of research which I had undertaken at Mr. Carnegie’s request, I analyzed hundreds of well-known individuals, many of whom admitted that they had accumulated their vast fortunes through the aid of the Carnegie secret. Among these individuals were:
| HENRY FORD | JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER |
| WILLIAM WRIGLEY, JR. | THOMAS A. EDISON |
| JOHN WANAMAKER | FRANK A. VANDERLIP |
| JAMES J. HILL | F. W. WOOLWORTH |
| FANNIE HURST | COL. ROBERT A. DOLLAR |
| GEORGE S. PARKER | EDWARD A FILENE |
| E. M. STATLER | EDWIN C. BARNES |
| HENRY L. DOHERTY | ARTHUR BRISBANE |
| CYRUS H. K. CURTIS | WOODROW WILSON |
| GEORGE EASTMAN | WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT |
| THEODORE ROOSEVELT | LUTHER BURBANK |
| JOHN W. DAVIS | EDWARD W. BOK |
| MARIE DRESSLER | FRANK A. MUNSEY |
| ELBERT HUBBARD | KATE SMITH |
| WILBUR WRIGHT | ELBERT H. GARY |
| WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN | ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL |
| DR. DAVID STARR JORDAN | JOHN H. PATTERSON |
| J. OGDEN ARMOUR | JULIUS ROSENWALD |
| CHARLES M. SCHWAB | STUART AUSTIN WIER |
| ERNESTINE SCHUMANN-HEINK | DR. FRANK CRANE |
| DR. FRANK GUNSAULUS | J.G. CHAPLINE |
| DANIEL WILLARD | ARTHUR NASH |
| KING GILLETTE | ELLA WHEELER WILCOX |
| RALPH A. WEEKS | CLARENCE DARROW |
These names represent but a small fraction of the hundreds of well-known Americans whose achievements, financial and otherwise, prove that those who understand and apply the Carnegie secret reach high stations in life. I have never known anyone who was inspired to use the secret who did not achieve noteworthy success in his or her chosen calling. I have never known any person to achieve true professional distinction or to accumulate riches of any consequence, without possession of the secret in one form or another. From these two facts, I draw the conclusion that the secret is more important, as a part of the knowledge essential for self-determination than any which one receives through what is popularly known as “education.”
Little Education, But Highly Successful
What is EDUCATION anyway? This will be answered in full detail.
As far as schooling is concerned, many of these individuals had very little. John Wanamaker once told me that what little schooling he had he acquired in very much the same manner as a steam locomotive takes on water, by scooping it up as it runs.
Henry Ford never reached high school, let alone college. I am not attempting to minimize the value of formal education, but I am trying to express my earnest belief that those who master and apply the secret will reach high stations, accumulate riches, and bargain with life on their own terms, even if their schooling has been meager.
Somewhere, as you read, the secret to which I refer will jump from the page and stand boldly before you IF YOU ARE READY FOR IT! When it appears, you will recognize it. Whether you receive the sign in the first or the last chapter, stop for a moment when it presents itself and celebrates—for that occasion will mark the most important turning point of your life.
Only Facts, No Fiction
As you go through this book that it deals with facts and not with fiction, its purpose being to convey a great universal truth through which all who are READY may learn not only WHAT TO DO, BUT ALSO HOW TO DO IT—and receive, as well, THE NEEDED STIMULUS TO MAKE A START.
As a final word of preparation, may I offer one brief suggestion which may provide a clue by which the Carnegie secret may be recognized? It is this: ALL ACHIEVEMENT, ALL EARNED RICHES, HAVE THEIR BEGINNING IN AN IDEA! If you are ready for the secret, you already possess one half of it, therefore, you will readily recognize the other half the moment it reaches your mind.”
This is one book, which turned my life in the right direction years back. It’s not hard work, but thinking which helps you to improve your financial life. Now at least you are aware of why this book was written. This book is available in many languages, so just grab one and start reading it. From the very beginning, you will find something to implement in your life.
“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” – Napoleon Hill
