Think And Grow Rich! (1937 - 1st Edition) by Napoleon Hill

The introduction sets the stage for Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich," originally published in 1937. It highlights the book's purpose: to provide a dependable philosophy of individual achievement based on the experiences of successful individuals. The book is presented not as entertainment but as a textbook for study and meditation, emphasizing the importance of active engagement with its principles. It suggests forming study clubs to discuss content and apply the 'Mastermind Principle' for enhanced learning and the discovery of "secret formulas" for success, including that of Andrew Carnegie.

The Publishers and Author's Prefaces elaborate on the book's origins, revealing that its philosophy is derived from over 500 wealthy men who started with only thoughts and plans. It promises instructions on selling personal services, self-analysis, and the Andrew Carnegie formula for wealth creation. Napoleon Hill recounts how Carnegie inspired him to spend two decades compiling this secret, which is hinted at throughout the book. He cites examples of individuals, from successful businessmen to political figures like Jennings Randolph and his own son Blair, who have applied this formula to achieve various forms of success, overcome handicaps, and create harmony in their lives. The core message emphasizes that the 'secret' is not given directly but is discovered by those ready to find it, highlighting the transformative power of a determined mindset.

This chapter introduces 'Desire' as the first step towards riches, exemplified by Edwin C. Barnes's unwavering determination to become Thomas Edison's business associate. Barnes's journey from a freight train passenger to a successful partner demonstrates the power of a definite, burning desire. The text contrasts his persistence with the common tendency to quit at the first sign of defeat, drawing parallels with the 'three feet from gold' story of R.U. Darby. It outlines six practical steps to transmute desire into financial equivalent, emphasizing specificity, planning, and consistent self-affirmation. The chapter also champions 'practical dreamers' like Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, highlighting that ambition and persistent desire are essential for new ideas and innovations in a changing world, rather than simple wishing.

Faith is presented as the second step towards riches, described as the 'head chemist of the mind' that translates thought into its spiritual equivalent and transmits it to 'infinite intelligence'. The chapter explains that faith can be induced through autosuggestion and repeated instructions to the subconscious mind. It warns that the subconscious also acts on negative thoughts, leading to misfortune. The text provides a 'Self-Confidence Formula' involving daily affirmations of personal ability, definite purpose, and ethical conduct to cultivate faith and eliminate negative emotions. Examples like Mahatma Gandhi's influence on 200 million people, and the formation of U.S. Steel, illustrate the immense power of faith and organized thought in achieving monumental goals. It argues that success comes by applying definite principles with faith, not through hard work alone.

Autosuggestion is presented as the medium for influencing the subconscious mind, describing it as self-suggestion—the communication link between conscious and subconscious thought. The chapter emphasizes that the conscious mind acts as a guard, allowing certain thoughts to reach the subconscious. It reiterates the six steps from Chapter 2 for planting definite desires (like for money) into the subconscious with emotion and faith. The text stresses that unemotional words are ineffective; thoughts must be 'emotionalized' to influence the subconscious. It also advises persistence and concentration in visualizing the desired outcome, ensuring that specific plans are absorbed by the subconscious, leading to practical ideas for wealth accumulation. The ultimate goal is to achieve 'money consciousness' and become the master of one's fate, guided by self-discipline and positive thought.

This chapter distinguishes between general and specialized knowledge, asserting that only specialized knowledge, when organized and directed with definite plans, attracts money. It uses Henry Ford as an example of an 'educated man' despite minimal schooling, emphasizing that true education lies in knowing how to acquire and apply knowledge. The text suggests various sources for specialized knowledge, including personal experience, cooperation with others (Mastermind Alliance), colleges, libraries, and home study. It highlights the accelerating importance of specialization in the current economic landscape and encourages continuous learning, noting that success comes from consistent application of knowledge. The chapter emphasizes that knowledge has no inherent value until it is applied for a worthy purpose, providing examples like Stewart Austin Weir and an unemployed salesman who turned their specialized knowledge into profitable ventures through imaginative planning.

Imagination is hailed as the 'workshop of the mind' where desires are given form and action. It describes two types: synthetic imagination, which rearranges old concepts into new combinations, and creative imagination, which provides direct links to infinite intelligence for new ideas and inspirations. The chapter emphasizes that both faculties become stronger through use, and highlights that desires are intangible until converted into physical form through imagination-driven plans. It uses historical examples like the invention of Coca-Cola (originating from a secret formula and Asa Candler's 'imagination') and the founding of Armore Institute of Technology (from Dr. Gonzaulus's desire for a million dollars) to demonstrate how ideas, backed by definite purpose and planning, can yield immense fortunes. The chapter also discusses the future of radio and other industries, arguing that new ideas and imaginative leadership are key to success and wealth generation.

This chapter focuses on 'Organized Planning' as the sixth step to riches, detailing how to build effective plans to fulfill desires. It recommends forming a Mastermind group, providing mutual benefits for cooperation, and meeting regularly to perfect plans. The text emphasizes that persistence is crucial when initial plans fail, using Thomas Edison's 10,000 attempts at the light bulb and Henry Ford's financial successes as examples. It distinguishes between leaders and followers, outlining 11 attributes of effective leadership, such as courage, self-control, justice, and definiteness of plans, and lists 10 major causes of leadership failure. The chapter also offers practical advice on marketing personal services, including creating a detailed brief or 'salesman' for oneself, emphasizing quality, quantity, and a cooperative spirit (the QQS formula). It also highlights the changing dynamics between employers, employees, and the public, stressing that success in the capitalistic system relies on rendering useful service and adapting to economic laws.

Decision, the seventh step, is highlighted as crucial for success, with a lack of decision being a leading cause of failure. It emphasizes the importance of making prompt and definite decisions, and changing them slowly, citing Henry Ford as an example of this steadfastness. The chapter warns against being influenced by the opinions of others, especially friends and relatives who may hinder ambition. It stresses the value of keeping one's plans private until achieved, stating that talkers rarely achieve much. Historically significant decisions, like the Declaration of Independence, are used to illustrate how bold, collective decisions, backed by courage and faith, can lead to monumental achievements. The chapter argues that indecision often stems from a lack of definite purpose and a flawed education system, urging readers to cultivate the habit of definite decision for personal and financial freedom.

Persistence is presented as an essential factor in transforming desire into monetary equivalent, closely linked with willpower. The chapter notes that most people give up at the first sign of difficulty, contrasting this with the sustained effort of successful individuals like Carnegie, Rockefeller, Ford, and Edison. It identifies a lack of persistence as a widespread weakness, which can be overcome by intensifying desire and following specific instructions, including forming a Mastermind group. Persistence is cultivated through: definite purpose, desire, self-reliance, definite plans, accurate knowledge, cooperation, and habit. The text stresses that a 'money consciousness' requires deliberate and continuous effort. Examples such as Fanny Hurst and Kate Smith's success in conquering Broadway through sheer persistence illustrate the power of this trait. The chapter concludes by asking what mystical power gives persistent individuals the capacity to overcome difficulties, suggesting a connection to supernatural forces that come to the aid of those who 'fight on'.

Sex transmutation is defined as redirecting sex energy, the most powerful human desire, from physical expression to creative endeavors. This redirection, achieved through willpower, can unlock keen imagination, courage, and persistence, leading to genius-level achievement in fields like art, literature, and finance. The chapter notes that most great achievers possess highly developed sex natures and that women often inspire men to greatness. It identifies ten mind stimuli that elevate thought vibrations, with sex desire being the most potent. It argues that a 'genius' is someone who can access higher knowledge through creative imagination, often triggered by intense emotional stimuli like sex energy. The text also explains why men seldom achieve outstanding success before 40, attributing it to the dissipation of sex energy during earlier years. The importance of balancing sex emotion with love and romance is stressed, as this 'holy triumvirate' leads to harmonious relationships and creative genius, contrasting it with destructive misuse of sex energy.

The subconscious mind is described as a field of consciousness that classifies and records all thoughts and sense impressions, acting autonomously day and night to translate dominating, emotionalized desires into physical reality. It is presented as the vital link between the finite mind and 'infinite intelligence,' the medium through which prayers and desires are communicated and answers received. The chapter emphasizes that only emotionalized thoughts (especially those mixed with faith) influence the subconscious effectively. It lists seven major positive emotions (desire, faith, love, sex, enthusiasm, romance, hope) to be cultivated and seven major negative emotions (fear, jealousy, hatred, revenge, greed, superstition, anger) to be avoided. The text urges readers to fill their minds with positive emotions and use autosuggestion to control their subconscious, warning that negative thoughts will also be acted upon, leading to misfortune. This control is crucial for developing a 'money consciousness' and achieving desired outcomes.

This chapter explores the brain as a broadcasting and receiving station for thought, functioning similarly to radio technology. It explains that the creative imagination acts as the receiving set, picking up thoughts from other brains and infinite intelligence when the mind is vibrating at a high rate, often stimulated by emotions like sex. The subconscious mind is the sending station, broadcasting emotionalized thoughts. The text stresses that greater forces are intangible and that humans are entering an age of understanding these unseen influences. It highlights scientific discoveries about the brain's enormous complexity, suggesting its capacity for communication beyond physical senses. The chapter cites Dr. Rhine's experiments on telepathy and clairvoyance at Duke University as evidence of extrasensory perception. The author also shares his personal experience of communicating with 'invisible counselors' during imaginary council meetings, emphasizing that this method stimulates the Sixth Sense to receive ideas and guidance, helping to solve problems and overcome life's difficulties. This process underscores that the mind, when stimulated, can access knowledge not otherwise available through ordinary thought.

The Sixth Sense is presented as the apex of the philosophy, a means through which infinite intelligence communicates voluntarily, without conscious effort. It's identified as the 'creative imagination' and the 'receiving set' for hunches and inspirations. To grasp this principle, one must master the preceding twelve. The author describes it as the contact point between the finite mind and the universal mind, providing warnings of danger and notifications of opportunity. He likens it to a guardian angel, guiding those who cultivate it through meditation and mind development. The author shares his personal method of holding 'imaginary council meetings' with figures like Emerson, Lincoln, and Edison to rebuild his character and access guidance, which he attributes to the Sixth Sense. He emphasizes that this ability develops slowly through years of meditation and self-examination, often becoming fully accessible later in life, empowering individuals to overcome fear, discouragement, and procrastination, and to manifest their desires.

This concluding chapter focuses on mastering the 'Six Ghosts of Fear': poverty, criticism, ill health, loss of love, old age, and death. It asserts that these fears are merely states of mind, subject to control. The author explains that indecision, doubt, and fear form an unholy trio that must be eliminated for the Sixth Sense to function. He emphasizes that thoughts translate into their physical equivalent, highlighting how the collective fear of poverty caused the 1929 depression. The fear of poverty is deemed the most destructive, stemming from humanity's inherited tendency to exploit others. The text provides detailed symptoms for each fear, encouraging self-analysis to identify and overcome them. It argues that positive actions and definite decisions are antidotes to worry and fear. The chapter also cautions against susceptibility to negative influences and emphasizes mind control through self-discipline and positive thinking, using examples like Henry Ford who overcame doubters with unwavering belief in his ideas.