A Success Classic That Changed the World
“Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” – Napoleon Hill
First published in 1937, Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich has sold millions of copies and remains one of the most influential personal development books of all time. More than just a book about money, it’s a guide to success principles that have shaped entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers for nearly a century.
About Napoleon Hill
Napoleon Hill was born in 1883 in rural Virginia. From humble beginnings, he became a journalist, attorney, and eventually one of the world’s most recognized motivational authors.
His life changed when he interviewed steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, who challenged him to discover the formula behind financial and personal success. Over the next 20 years, Hill interviewed more than 500 of the era’s most successful people—including Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Theodore Roosevelt, Alexander Graham Bell, and John D. Rockefeller.
The result was Think and Grow Rich, a book that distilled their experiences into a set of success principles anyone could follow.
The Core Message of Think and Grow Rich
While it’s often seen as a book about making money, Hill’s work goes far deeper. At its core, it teaches that:
- Success begins with a burning desire and a definite purpose
- Thoughts are powerful and shape outcomes
- Persistence and resilience are more important than talent
- Mastering the sales process of life means learning to persuade yourself first
- Riches come in many forms—not just financial wealth, but knowledge, relationships, and fulfillment
Key Principles You’ll Find Inside
Think and Grow Rich outlines 13 steps to riches, including:
- Desire – the starting point of achievement
- Faith – believing in your vision
- Autosuggestion – programming the mind for success
- Specialized Knowledge – sharpening expertise
- Imagination – turning ideas into reality
- Organized Planning – taking strategic action
- Persistence – refusing to quit
- The Mastermind – surrounding yourself with the right people
Each principle builds on the idea that success is a mindset first, and an outcome second.
Why It Still Matters Today
Even decades after its release, Think and Grow Rich continues to inspire. Entrepreneurs, executives, and everyday readers credit it with helping them build confidence, create wealth, and improve their lives.
What makes it timeless is its universal message: your thoughts, if focused with clarity and action, can shape your destiny.
A Modern Reflection
As Wyn Nathan Davis notes, Hill’s personal struggles—bankruptcy, setbacks, and personal flaws—only strengthen the value of his teachings. He didn’t just write theory; he lived resilience. That’s why the book isn’t just about how to get rich, but about how to live richly—with purpose, persistence, and faith in your own abilities.
Get the Book
Interested in diving deeper? You can read Think and Grow Rich online or download a free PDF version.