Page 63 - Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich Full Book | Success Learned

Specialized Knowledge, Personal Experience or

Observations

The Fourth Step toward Riches

THERE are two kinds of knowledge. One is general, the other is specialized. Gen-
eral knowledge, no matter how great in quantity or variety it may be, is of but
little use in the accumulation of money. The faculties of the great universities
possess, in the aggregate, practically every form of general knowledge known to
civilization. Most of the professors have but little or no money. They specialize on
teaching knowledge, but they do not specialize on the organization, or the use of
knowledge.

KNOWLEDGE will not attract money, unless it is organized, and intelligently
directed, through practical PLANS OF ACTION, to the DEFINITE END of ac-
cumulation of money. Lack of understanding of this fact has been the source of
confusion to millions of people who falsely believe that "knowledge is power." It
is nothing of the sort! Knowledge is only potential power. It becomes power only
when, and if, it is organized into definite plans of action, and directed to a definite
end.

This "missing link" in all systems of education known to civilization today, maybe
found in the failure of educational institutions to teach their students HOW TO

organize and use knowledge after they acquire it.

Many people make the mistake of assuming that, because Henry Ford had but
little "schooling," he is not a man of "education." Those who make this mistake
do not know Henry Ford, nor do they understand the real meaning of the word
"educate."

That word is derived from the Latin word "educo," meaning to educe, to draw out,
to DEVELOP FROM WITHIN. An educated man is not, necessarily, one who has
an abundance of general or specialized knowledge. An educated man is one who
has so developed the faculties of his mind that he may acquire anything he wants,
or its equivalent, without violating the rights of others. Henry Ford comes well
within the meaning of this definition.

64

NAPOLEON HILL THINK AND GROW RICH