Page 8 - Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich Full Book | Success Learned

himself, or to accumulate riches of any consequence, without possession of the
secret.

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 re-
ceives through what is popularly known as "education."

What is EDUCATION, anyway? This has been answered in full detail. As far as
schooling is concerned, many of these men had very little. John Wanamaker once
told me that what little schooling he had, he acquired in very much the same
manner as a modern 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 schooling, 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 turn down a glass, for that occasion will mark
the most important turning-point of your life.

We pass now, to Chapter One, and to the story of my very dear friend, who has gen-
erously acknowledged having seen the mystic sign, and whose business achieve-
ments are evidence enough that he turned down a glass. As you read his story,
and the others, remember that they deal with the important problems of life, such
as all men experience. The problems arising from one's endeavor to earn a living,
to find hope, courage, contentment and peace of mind; to accumulate riches and
to enjoy freedom of body and spirit.

Remember, too, as you go through the 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.

NAPOLEON HILL THINK AND GROW RICH

As a final word of preparation, before you begin the first chapter, 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.

THEAUTHOR