Every great fortune starts with a thought is such a powerful truth. It’s not just about money; it’s about the raw, initial spark that precedes every single achievement. Let’s break down why this idea is so foundational.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote means that all tangible success, all wealth, every single thing built in the physical world, begins as an intangible idea in someone’s mind.
Explanation
Okay, so here’s the thing I’ve seen play out again and again. People look at a successful person, a thriving business, a “great fortune,” and they see the end result. They see the yacht, the company, the brand. What they don’t see is the thousands of hours of thought that went into it. The late nights. The “what if” scenarios. The blueprint that was drafted entirely in the mind before a single brick was laid.
That thought is the seed. It’s the most crucial, non-negotiable first step. Without the thought, the idea, the vision… there is no action. And without consistent action driven by that initial thought, there’s no result. It’s that simple. And that difficult.
Think of it like this: the thought is the architect’s plan. The fortune is the finished skyscraper. You can’t have one without the other.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Wealth (107) |
| Topics | creation (8), thoughts (29), wealth general (30) |
| Literary Style | concise (408) |
| Emotion / Mood | inspiring (392) |
| Overall Quote Score | 80 (256) |
Origin & Factcheck
This one comes straight from Napoleon Hill’s 1928 classic, The Law of Success. It’s a cornerstone of his philosophy, developed after he spent decades studying the most successful people of his era, like Andrew Carnegie. You’ll sometimes see it misattributed to others, but its true home is in Hill’s work, originating from his research in the United States.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Napoleon Hill (84) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The Law of Success (47) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Modern (530) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) wrote influential books on achievement and personal philosophy. After interviewing industrialist Andrew Carnegie, he spent years studying the habits of top performers, which led to The Law of Success and the classic Think and Grow Rich. Hill taught and lectured widely, promoting ideas like the Master Mind, definite purpose, and persistence. He collaborated with W. Clement Stone and helped launch the Napoleon Hill Foundation to preserve and extend his teachings. His work continues to shape self-help, entrepreneurship, and success literature.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Every great fortune starts with a thought |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 1928; ISBN: 978-1-956134-21-1; Latest Edition: 2021, 1104 pages. |
| Where is it? | Lesson 4: Habit of Saving, Approximate page from 2021 edition: 138 |