14 insights about getting rich, from a 90-year-old book on wealth that's still relevant today

"Every gold piece you save is a slave to work for you. Every copper it earns is its child that also can earn for you. If you would become wealthy, then what you save must earn, and its children must earn, that all may help to give to you the abundance you crave."

"I found the road to wealth when I decided that a part of all I earned was mine to keep. And so will you.

"Impress yourself with the idea. Fill yourself with the thought. Then take whatever portion seems wise. Let it be not less than one-tenth and lay by it."

"Now I will tell thee an unusual truth about men and sons of men. It is this: That what each of us calls our 'necessary expenses' will always grow to equal our incomes unless we protest to the contrary."

"Which desirest thou the most? Is it the gratification of thy desires of each day, a jewel, a bit of finery, better raiment, more food; things quickly gone and forgotten?

"Or is it substantial belongings, gold, lands, herds, merchandise, income-bringing investments? The coins thou tamest from thy purse bring the first. The coin thou leaves within it will bring the latter."

"Study thoughtfully thy accustomed habits of living. Herein may be most often found certain accepted expenses that may wisely be reduced or eliminated. Let thy motto be one hundred per cent of appreciated value demanded for each coin spent."

"The gold we may retain from our earnings is but the start. The earnings it will make shall build our fortunes."

"Preceding accomplishment must be desire. Thy desires must be strong and definite.

"General desires are but weak longings. For a man to wish to be rich is of little purpose. For a man to desire five pieces of gold is a tangible desire which he can press to fulfillment."

"Without wisdom, gold is quickly lost by those who have it, but with wisdom, gold can be secured by those who have it not."

"Advice is one thing that is freely given away, but watch that you take only what is worth having. He who takes advice about his savings from one who is inexperienced in such matters, shall pay with his savings for proving the falsity of their opinion."

"Gold flees the man who would force it to impossible earnings or who followeth the alluring advice of tricksters and schemers or who trusts it to his own inexperience and romantic desires in investment."

"The spirit of procrastination is within all men. We desire riches; yet, how often when opportunity doth appear before us, that spirit of procrastination from within doth urge various delays in our acceptance. In listening to it we do become our own worst enemies."

"The more of wisdom we know, the more we may earn. That man who seeks to learn more of his craft shall be richly rewarded."

"Enjoy life while you are here. Do not overstrain or try to save too much. If one-tenth of all you earn is as much as you can comfortably keep, be content to keep this portion. Life is good and life is rich with things worthwhile and things to enjoy."