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 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 17 18 half of it, therefore,
you will readily recognize the other half the moment it reaches
your mind.
THE AUTHOR