This is the THIRD book written by Wallace Wattles.
His FIRST book "Science of Getting Rich" published in 1910 is
timeless wisdom, and a practical, step-by-step prosperity program.
1. Human Beings are not barred from attaining greatness by heredity. No matter who or what our ancestors may have been or how unlearned or lowly their station, the upward way is open for each of us. There is no such thing as inheriting a fixed mental position; no matter how small the mental capital we receive from our parents, it may be increased; no Human is born incapable of growth.
2. Heredity counts for something. We are born with subconscious mental tendencies; as, for instance, a tendency to melancholy, or cowardice, or to ill temper; but all these subconscious tendencies may be overcome. When the real Human awakens and comes forth he and she can throw them off very easily. Nothing of this kind need keep anybody down; if anyone inherited undesirable mental tendencies, they can be eliminated and put desirable tendencies in their places. An inherited mental trait is a habit of thought of the father or mother impressed upon a child's subconscious mind; and that child can substitute the opposite impression by forming the opposite habit of thought. We can substitute a habit of cheerfulness for a tendency to despondency. We can overcome cowardice or ill temper.
3. Heredity may count for something, too, in an inherited conformation of the skull. There is something in phrenology (the theory that the shape of the skull shows what sort of mind and character a person has) if not as much as its exponents claim; it is true that the different faculties are localized in the brain, and that the power of a faculty depends upon the number of active brain cells in its area. A faculty whose brain area is large is likely to act with more power than one whose cranial section is small; hence Human Beings with certain conformations of the skull show talent as musicians, orators, mechanics, and so on. It has been argued from this, that a Human's cranial formation must, to a great extent, decide his and her station in life, but this is an error. It has been found that a small brain section, with many fine and active cells, gives as powerful expression to faculty as a larger brain with coarser cells; and it has been found that by turning the Principle of Power into any section of the brain, with the Will and Purpose to develop a particular talent, the brain cells may be multiplied indefinitely. Any faculty, power, or talent possessed, no matter how small or rudimentary, may be increased. A Human Being can multiply the brain cells in this particular area until it acts as powerfully as is desired. It is true that a person can act most easily and with the least effort, through those faculties that are NOW MOST largely developed and the things which "come naturally". And it is also true that if a person will make the necessary effort that person can develop any talent. You and I can do what we each desire to do, and become what we each desire to be. When the attention is fixed upon some ideal and action proceeds as hereinafter directed, all the power of our being is turned into the faculties required in the realization of that ideal; more blood and nerve force go to the corresponding sections of the brain, and the cells are quickened, increased, and multiplied in number. The proper use of the mind of human beings will build a brain capable of doing what the mind desires to do.
4. The brain does not make the Human Being; the Human Being makes the brain.
5. Our place in life is not fixed by heredity.
6. Nor is anybody condemned to the lower levels by circumstances or lack of opportunity. The Principle of Power in Human Beings is sufficient for all the requirements of each of our souls. No possible combination of circumstances can keep a Human Being down, if he or she makes their personal attitude right and determines to rise. The power, which formed Human Beings and purposed us for growth, also controls the circumstances of society, industry, and government; and this power is never divided against itself. The power which is in each of us is in the things around each of us, and when any of us begin to move forward, the things will arrange themselves for our advantage, as described in later chapters of this book. Human Beings were formed for growth, and all things external were designed to promote our growth. No sooner does a Human Being awaken our soul and enter on the advancing way, than it's discovered that not only is God for the awakened being, but nature, society, and fellow beings are for him or her also; and all things work together for the good of any who obeys the law. Poverty is no bar to greatness, for poverty can always be removed. Martin Luther, as a child, sang in the streets for bread. Linnaeus the naturalist had only forty dollars with which to educate himself; he mended his own shoes and often had to beg meals from his friends. Hugh Miller, apprenticed to a stonemason, began to study geology in a quarry. George Stephenson, inventor of the locomotive engine, and one of the greatest of civil engineers, was a coal miner, working in a mine, when he awakened and began to think. James Watt was a sickly child, and was not strong enough to be sent to school. Abraham Lincoln was a poor boy. In each of these cases we see a Principle of Power in the man that lifts him above all opposition and adversity.
7. There is a Principle of Power in each of us that if used and applied it in a certain way anybody can overcome all heredity, and master all circumstances and conditions, and become a great and powerful personality.
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