Think and Grow Rich! | Page 5

Napoleon Hill
the possession of
Thomas A. Edison, and he used it so intelligently that he became the
world's leading 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. You will find his story at the beginning of the
first chapter. 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. How do I know these things? You
should have the answer before you finish this book. You may find it in
the very first chapter, or on the last page. While I was performing the
twenty year task of research, which I had undertaken at Mr. Carnegie's
request, I analyzed hundreds of well known men, many of whom
admitted that they had accumulated their vast fortunes through the aid
of the Carnegie secret; among these men were: --
HENRY FORD
WILLIAM WRIGLEY JR.

JOHN WANAMAKER
JAMES J. HILL
GEORGE S. PARKER
E. M. STATLER
HENRY L. DOHERTY
CYRUS H. K. CURTIS
GEORGE EASTMAN
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
JOHN W. DAVIS
ELBERT HUBBARD
WILBUR WRIGHT
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
DR. DMTID STARR JORDAN
J. ODGEN ARMOUR
CHARLES M. SCHWAB
HARRIS F. WILLIAMS
DR. FRANK GUNSAULUS
DANIEL WILLARD
KING GILLETTE
RALPH A. WEEKS

JUDGE DANIEL T. WRIGHT
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER
THOMAS A. EDISON
FRANK A. VANDERLIP
F. W. WOOLWORTH
COL. ROBERT A. DOLLAR
EDWARD A. FILENE
EDWIN C. BARNES
ARTHUR BRISBANE
WOODROW WILSON
WM. HOWARD TAFT
LUTHER BURBANK
EDWARD W. BOK
FRANK A. MUNSEY
ELBERT H. GARY
DR. ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL
JOHN H. PATTERSON
JULIUS ROSENWALD
STUART AUSTIN WIER
DR. FRANK CRANE

GEORGE M. ALEXANDER
J. G. CHAPPLINE
HON. JENNINGS RANDOLPH
ARTHUR NASH
CLARENCE DARROW
These names represent but a small fraction of the hundreds of well
known Americans whose achievements, financially 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 chosen
calling. I have never known any person to distinguish 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 receives 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 loco-motive 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 generously acknowledged having seen the mystic sign, and
whose business achievements 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.
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
Continue reading on your phone by scaning this QR Code

 / 114
Tip: The current page has been bookmarked automatically. If you wish to continue reading later, just open the Dertz Homepage, and click on the 'continue reading' link at the bottom of the page.