How To Get What You Want - 8. HOW TO ATTRACT PROSPERITY - Orison Swett Marden (1917) - HQ Full Book. 

In Chapter 8 of How to Get What You Want, Orison Swett Marden explores one of the most timeless and sought-after desires of humankind: prosperity. Writing in his characteristically uplifting and motivational tone, Marden guides readers through the philosophy, mindset, and practical actions necessary to attract material and spiritual abundance. This chapter is not just a call to wealth in the monetary sense, but to a life of fullness, progress, and inner richness. Prosperity, as Marden defines it, is the outward manifestation of an inward state — a natural outcome of harmony between thought, action, and purpose.  

The Inner Origin of Prosperity
Marden begins the chapter by dismantling the misconception that prosperity is purely a matter of chance, fate, or privilege. Instead, he insists that prosperity begins in the mind. Our thoughts, he says, are the architects of our reality. Just as seeds planted in fertile soil bloom into robust plants, so too do thoughts rooted in confidence, purpose, and belief grow into success. The author emphasizes that people often unconsciously repel prosperity by harboring thoughts of fear, limitation, and self-doubt. These mental states create a vibrational atmosphere around individuals — an invisible aura — that either attracts opportunities or pushes them away. To Marden, poverty consciousness is a dangerous force. Those who constantly dwell on lack and hardship unwittingly reinforce their circumstances. Conversely, those who cultivate a prosperous mindset — one of hope, creativity, and determination — align themselves with the universal laws of success.  

Faith as the Foundation
A cornerstone of Marden’s argument is the power of faith — not merely religious faith, but faith in oneself, in one’s purpose, and in the benevolence of the universe. He asserts that belief is the soil from which all achievement springs. Without belief in the possibility of a better future, no meaningful progress can occur. Faith enables individuals to persist in the face of adversity, to see beyond temporary defeat, and to visualize success before it materializes. “Believe that you were made for success,” Marden urges. He draws on the idea that human beings are co-creators with the divine, endowed with intelligence, imagination, and will. When these faculties are exercised with faith, they unleash an attracting force that draws people, resources, and circumstances into alignment with one’s goals.  

The Prosperity Magnet: Attitude and Expectation
Throughout the chapter, Marden discusses the importance of attitude — particularly the attitude of expectancy. People who expect good things to happen are more likely to notice opportunities, to act boldly, and to radiate positivity that influences others. Expectation acts as a magnetic field, summoning the resources and support necessary for success. Marden tells readers to carry themselves as though they are already prosperous. This is not about arrogance or pretending to be something one is not, but rather about living in the spirit of success. He encourages people to dress neatly, walk confidently, speak optimistically, and act with purpose. These behaviors, he claims, create a momentum that draws prosperity into one’s life.  

Work: The Channel of Prosperity
While much of Marden’s advice centers on mental attitude, he is equally insistent on the importance of work. Prosperity is not handed down from the heavens; it flows through the channel of dedicated, intelligent, and persistent effort. “Work is the open door to all advancement,” he writes. Idle wishing or vague longing does not bring success; only focused and determined action does. Marden warns against laziness and mediocrity, which he sees as twin enemies of prosperity. He promotes excellence and urges readers to give their best in every endeavor. Those who go beyond what is expected — who serve more, solve more problems, and contribute greater value — are the ones who naturally rise to greater heights. Prosperity, then, is the inevitable reward for service well rendered.  

The Role of Gratitude and Generosity
In a particularly spiritual turn, Marden addresses the importance of gratitude and generosity. Grateful hearts, he argues, open the floodgates of abundance. When we appreciate what we already have, we attune ourselves to more blessings. Gratitude shifts our focus from scarcity to sufficiency, from complaint to appreciation, and from fear to faith. Generosity, too, is a prosperity principle. The person who gives freely — whether of time, resources, or encouragement — becomes a channel through which good flows. And just as water flowing through a pipe keeps it clean and fresh, so too does giving keep the soul expansive and receptive. Marden insists that the law of giving and receiving is as real and powerful as gravity: “What you give away in good faith will come back multiplied.”  

Removing Mental and Emotional Blocks
To attract prosperity, Marden also stresses the need to eliminate mental blocks. Envy, resentment, fear, and bitterness act like dams in the river of success. They clog the mental flow and distort our creative powers. Harboring ill will toward others or lamenting another’s success keeps one chained to mediocrity. Instead, Marden urges forgiveness, goodwill, and emotional clarity. He encourages people to bless the success of others and to view wealth as something expansive and available to all. The universe is not a pie with limited slices, but an infinite source from which everyone can draw. A mindset of abundance allows people to collaborate, celebrate, and create without fear.  

Vision: Seeing the Invisible
Finally, Marden elevates the power of vision — the capacity to see what does not yet exist. Visionaries, he explains, are the builders of the world. They hold a mental image of what they want and act each day in faith that it will become real. This power of mental picturing, or visualization, is a creative force that helps crystallize desires into reality. To attract prosperity, one must become a visionary in their own life. Marden urges readers to imagine the business they want to build, the home they wish to live in, the relationships they long to enjoy — not vaguely, but in detail, with emotional intensity and vivid clarity. These mental blueprints, once stamped upon the subconscious, begin to shape the outer world.  

Conclusion
In Chapter 8 of How to Get What You Want, Orison Swett Marden offers not merely a guide to acquiring wealth, but a manifesto for living with purpose, confidence, and spiritual alignment. Prosperity, he tells us, is not a destination but a condition — a result of harmony between our inner world and outer actions. Through faith, vision, gratitude, and hard work, anyone can attract the prosperity that lies latent within them. The chapter remains a powerful call to take control of one’s destiny, trust in the invisible forces of good, and live each day as a step toward abundance.    

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