The Science of Being Well

by Wallace D. Wattles

From the author of The Science of Getting Rich comes the Science of Being Well. In these pages you will find out how the power of positive thinking can improve your health. This practical guide will help your explore the principles of health and lead you to a healthy, happier you.

Genres: Self Help, Health, Nonfiction, Personal Development, Audiobook, Science, Personal Growth

72 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Wallace Delois Wattles was an American author. A New Thought writer, he remains personally somewhat obscure, but his writing has been widely quoted and remains in print in the New Thought and self-help movements. Wattles' best known work is a 1910 book called The Science of Getting Rich in which he explained how to become wealthy.

He studied the writings of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Ralph Waldo Emerson and recommended the study of their books to his readers who wished to understand what he characterized as "the monistic theory of the cosmos".

Through his personal study and experimentation Wattles claimed to have discovered the truth of New Thought principles and put them into practice in his own life. He wrote books outlining these principles and practices, giving them titles that described their content, such as Health Through New Thought and Fasting and The Science of Being Great. His daughter Florence recalled that "he lived every page" of his books.

A practical author, Wattles encouraged his readers to test his theories on themselves rather than take his word as an authority, and he claimed to have tested his methods on himself and others before publishing them.

Wattles practiced the technique of creative visualization. In his daughter Florence's words, he "formed a mental picture" or visual image, and then "worked toward the realization of this vision".

Rhonda Byrne told a Newsweek interviewer that her inspiration for creating the 2006 hit film The Secret and the subsequent book by the same name, was her exposure to Wattles's The Science of Getting Rich. Byrne's daughter, Hayley, had given her mother a copy of the Wattles book to help her recover from her breakdown.

Reviews

[Steven Walle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author of "The Science of getting Rich" comes "The Science of being well. This book teaches us how to achieve well-being, mentally, emotionally and physically through the power of possative thinking. A good read and a great practice.
Enjoy and Be Blessed.
Diamond

[Aether Real · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with a lot of it.

Disagree with the parts that defy scientific fact in regards as to what to eat.
And disagree with the religious highlights throughout.
Other than that, we are in accord.
Get plenty of sleep, sleep with the window open for fresh air, drink lots of water, avoid processed foods, keep a positive mindset, your mind makes what you think happen within your body so be careful what you’re thinking about, exercise by having fun not by going to the gym or working out, etc.
There is a lot I agree with.
Decent book.

[Tommy Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the only book you ever have to read and continue to implement into your life to be well forever. The knowledge is so simple in this book but so profound. Life changing if your heart and soul has been seeking the truth. No gimmicks in this book.

[Natalie Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but his writing voice is very pretensious.

[Marcey Rader · Rating 5 out of 5]

O.M.G. I cannot believe this book was written in the early 1900s!!! Everything Wallace Wattles says is so completely relevant to today it's astounding. Had we all just listened to him then, we would be in much better shape. Stop eating mindlessly and think about your food. Don't eat until you have EARNED your hunger. Think healthy thoughts because you can worry yourself to symptoms and disease. Get plenty of sleep and fresh air. Seriously, I highlighted so much of this book that I practically read the whole thing to my husband when just covering the highlights. He even talks about the debate between vegetarian and meat eating. Not kidding....this could be written today and it would still work.

[Petrichor · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first bit of this was pretty good.
Then it got to food and became extra religious garbage.
The when to eat was great advice.
The advice about only drinking water was great advice
Other than that, almost everything about what to eat was very self serving.
Absolute garbage.
It completely disregards all scientific facts and the reactions of foods with the body.
If you ignore the food advice/opinions, and religious garbage, the rest of it is not terrible.
The beginning of the book had great advice.
The rest of the book after what to eat was pretty good also.

[Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. This book will really make you think about the role of food in your life. Over time, it can be easy to just eat out of habit regardless if you are truly hungry. Wattles calls on us to distinguish between our hunger and our appetite. Earn your hunger and you will see results.

[A.S. Ember · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Gwyneth Paltrow of the early twentieth century. Once again there’s some universal wisdom here: be thankful, eat when you’re hungry, etc., but it’s built upon a foundation of absolute, unscientific nonsense.

[Ștefania Ioana Chiorean · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You are not mentally developed by what you read, but by what you think about what you read. "

[Victor Henrique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wallace D. Wattles presents a bold claim: health is a matter of thought and disciplined action, not chance. He emphasizes the power of the mind in healing, proper nutrition, and alignment with a universal force. While his ideas on the mind-body connection remain relevant, his rejection of medical science and oversimplification of illness make the book more of an inspirational guide than a practical health manual. Ideal for those interested in New Thought philosophy, but best read with a critical eye.

[K. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know what I was expecting as I decided to read this book but I definetly didn't like it as much as I thought.

Since the title is The "Science" of Being "Well", one would think that this would be a medical book. However, the author clearly states : "Do not read "Doctor Books" or medical literature, or the literature of those whose theories conflict with those herein set forth... ". After that, he goes on to say : "the science of being well is an exact science.". I didn't know how to react to this but it did make me very mad.

At first, it seemed to me that the author wrote a very long introduction until I realized that it was only a first part in which he talked about the idea of just think healthy and you shall be.
I don't completly disagree with such statements but I feel like he gave them more than needed importance.

He also mentions that we don't need to know about some medical fields such as anatomy and physiology in order to be healthy. I had to roll my eyes at that part. The fact that we haven't yet discovered many unknown things  doesn't make our currently knowledge irrelevant.

The book claimed to be a scientific one yet gave religious arguments and exemples. I have no problem with religion whatsoever, but I  completly reject using it for scientific purposes   no matter what. Consequently, such parts were a turn down.

Other of his statements I didn't like :
 "If you are to get well and stay well, you must drop the idea of doing things because they are good for your health, and do things because you want to do them."

 "thinking health and doing health, you will certainly be well".

Although I disagreed with many illogical and absurd things he mentioned in the second half (ex: what you desire >>> what's good for you), I did enjoy this part more than the first one. This says it all.

Still, I liked his body + mind + spiritual idea. That way, he separated the mental issues from faith being very different things as mentioned in several exemples.
 
 Even though he gave too much importance to the involuntary aspect, he mentioned the voluntary feature as a non similar one. I found this part good too.

Another "not bad" idea was the principle of health with the thinking and acting. It did seem true and logical at times, but it felt like the acting instructions he suggested were not enough at all. Therefore, one cannot apply them now and expect the required results.

All in all, I only find few paragraphs interesting and worth reading. Other than that, it isn't a pleasant book.

But then, I have to remind myself that it was written in 1910.

[Carla Parreira]

A ciência do bem-estar (Wallace D. Wattles)

Melhores trechos: "...O poder que cura está no próprio paciente; e se ele deve ou não tornar-se ativo não depende dos meios físicos ou mentais utilizados, mas da maneira como o paciente pensa sobre esses meios...
Na Substância Originária, há apenas os pensamentos de movimento perfeito; função perfeita e saudável; vida completa. Deus nunca pensa em doença ou imperfeição. Mas por incontáveis séculos os homens têm mantido pensamentos de doença, anormalidade, velhice e morte; e o funcionamento perverso resultante desses pensamentos tornou-se parte da herança da humanidade. Nossos ancestrais têm, por muitas gerações, mantido ideias imperfeitas sobre a forma humana e o funcionamento; e começamos a vida com impressões subconscientes de imperfeição e doença...
Ao pensar pensamentos imperfeitos, ele tem causado um funcionamento imperfeito e pervertido; e ao desempenhar as funções voluntárias da vida de forma pervertida, ele tem ajudado a causar doenças. Se o homem pensa apenas em saúde perfeita, ele pode causar em si mesmo o funcionamento da saúde perfeita; todo o poder da vida será exercido para auxiliá-lo. Mas este funcionamento saudável não continuará, a menos que o homem desempenhe as funções externas, ou voluntárias, de viver de maneira saudável. O primeiro passo do homem deve ser aprender a pensar em saúde perfeita; e seu segundo passo deve aprender a comer, beber, respirar e dormir de uma maneira perfeitamente saudável. Se o homem der estes dois passos, certamente ficará bem, e assim permanecerá...
Toda crença começa na vontade de acreditar...
Quando você tiver uma dor, pense que um processo de cura está acontecendo na parte afetada, e ajude mentalmente e coopere com ela...
Quando, por qualquer razão, a natureza tira sua fome, continue alegremente com seu trabalho habitual, e não coma até que ela a devolva. Não importa se são dois, três, dez dias ou mais; você pode estar perfeitamente certo de que quando chegar a hora de comer você terá fome; e se você estiver alegremente confiante e mantiver sua fé na saúde, você não sofrerá nenhuma fraqueza ou desconforto causado pela abstinência. Quando não tiver fome, você se sentirá mais forte, mais feliz e mais confortável se não comer do que se comer; não importa por quanto tempo seja o jejum..."

[Andrew · Rating 1 out of 5]

My score of one star is only valid if the star system is exponential such that one star is 1/10,000th the quality of a five star book. Even then, I think this book doesn't deserve one star, but goodreads does not offer negative start ratings.

Firstly, to call this book the "science" of anything is an insult to scientists, publishers and readers alike. This book is so far from science that it would make people who think the bible is credible shake their heads at its ridiculousness. How anyone rated this book as four stars is beyond me. Even if you believe in astrology, homeopathy and imaginary friends, surely you could still tell that this book is a pile of horseshit? Alas no.

To be fair, I did not read the last 2 chapters. But I did endure the first part and the majority of the book. How come? The truth is that I listened to the audiobook and put it on to play when I started a long hot bath at the end of a long week. At first I was determined not to spoil my treat, but after a while I developed a masochistic determination to finish this drivel, in the hopes that there might be at least one half-profound statement in the entire book. No, at least not in the first few hours.

I do admire anyone who manages to write a book and get it published, so all credit for doing that. But I also think that publishers should at least read what they publish and have some standards when it comes to labeling the incoherent babbling of a person who's clearly hearing voices in his head, as science.

I guess we started this with some science books, referring to themselves as "the bible of ...", as in the social media bible (although, in fairness that's hardly science either, but at least it's closer). So, in retaliation, it appears as if the lunatic fringe have now taken to labeling their notes from a crack weekend as science.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book filled with great advice on many aspects of living that can ensure good health and wellbeing. The book is compiled in chapters, one chapter dedicated to each aspect of health: thinking, breathing, eating, sleeping, exercising and more - a summary of some very useful things to keep in mind and do to be in good health. I especially enjoyed the chapters on eating and sleeping well which highlight some good habits to follow and things to avoid to maintain good health. One thing that stuck with me is Wallace’s recommendation to avoid forced exercising (like that done on a treadmill in the gym) and replace it with a natural exercise that you enjoy and is productive, like biking out in nature, playing sports or gardening. Just the thought that you are enjoying the sport activity helps your health much more than long hours of forced exercising. I would recommend this book to everyone to read.

[Aya Zain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This (e)book found me. I can't believe some dude in the 90s was sitting there writing about manifestation way long before The Secret and law of attraction were hyped. But he drops a lot of truth bombs and very informative insights that could really help someone battle with their negative traits - whether it's laziness, insecurity, or whatever else it is. Basically, you are your thoughts, and how you see the world starts with your thoughts.

He does make a lot of religious references which can be off-putting for some people, but if you don't identify yourself as religious (which I don't either) you can simply ignore those bits, or interpret it as you will.

[Natasa Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this was indeed written in 1910, it changes the perception of our discovering all these great theories and finding proof for everything in 21. century. We really are regurgitators of all that came before. Mr Wattles idea of proper eating is brilliant and confirms what I felt my whole life. I never bought into 'You have to have breakfast, it is the most important meal of the day.' No, it's not. Eating breakfast can do you more harm than good, as you have not deserved the hunger until you did some work first for few hours. Interesting.

[ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mind is a great tool

The mind is a powerful tool and this book basically reiterates that in retrospect of your health. Wait coaches you to have positive thoughts train your mind while eating sleeping encouraging you to be a more positive person in your mind and in your faith which then will trigger your health it also questions whether or not it is the medicine that work or is it your faith in medicine that works pretty decent read love the tips on the sleep will be trying it

[Ahmad · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading it, it connected me to his other work the science of getting rich which I consider this book to be a complementary. Highly recommend to read. The author(Wallace d. Wattle) is a human being that understand how people's life work , he knows very well the law of the universe and it short and few words in his books explain exactly what to do in your life to attain health in this book and wealth in his other book.
I'm really admiring Wallace's books.

[Juliana Salazar bonett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the simplicity of this book. I do think it oversimplifies a thing or two, but in general terms, I’m all for challenging beliefs about nutrition and calling out the unfortunate audacity of allopathic medicine. Also, simply chewing my food mindfully has proven to improve the overall experience of eating and increased satiety too.

[حمده الشامسية · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this after reading the author's first book The Science of Being Rich and I loved it. It discusses how your can heal your live with positive thinking. I was amazed to find many of the teaching of Islam in this book.

[Fermin Quant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting insights on how to lead your thoughts and actions into perfect health. Worth a read and a try at his suggestions.

[Chantal Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly excellent read this many times and take something different from it each time.

[Ayodele · Rating 5 out of 5]

exquisite. simple. beautiful. there is a universal principle of health full present and it heals all disease.

[Nicole Biddle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Drivel!

[Hannah Mustafa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can take few lessons that the writer wrote here, but not all. I like “The Science of Being Rich,” but this one not so much.

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice concept. I'd read it again.

[Sotiris Makrygiannis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of The Science of Being Well by Wallace D. Wattles: A Perspective on Greek References

Wallace D. Wattles’ The Science of Being Well (1910) is a concise self-help manual that promises health through positive thinking and disciplined lifestyle habits. For readers expecting connections to Greek culture, philosophy, or mythology, the book offers little to engage with. This review evaluates the text’s lack of Greek references and considers how its themes might indirectly resonate with Greek ideals, while assessing its overall merit.

Absence of Greek References

Wattles makes no direct allusions to Greek culture, mythology, or philosophy. Readers hoping for references to Hippocratic medicine, Platonic metaphysics, or Homeric narratives will find none. The book’s language is deliberately plain, rooted in New Thought principles and early 20th-century American pragmatism, not classical antiquity. Terms like “science” in the title are modern, lacking the Greek episteme’s philosophical depth. Nor does Wattles engage with Greek figures like Socrates or Aristotle, or cultural touchstones like the Delphic maxims.

This absence is unsurprising given Wattles’ aim: to deliver a universal, accessible health method for a general audience. Classical references would have clashed with his practical tone and modern influences, such as Emersonian transcendentalism and health reformers like Horace Fletcher. The book’s focus on mental visualization and habits like mindful eating or natural exercise bypasses Greek traditions, favoring contemporary ideas over historical ones.

Indirect Greek Resonances

Despite the lack of explicit references, some themes faintly echo Greek concepts, though these connections are tenuous:





Mind-Body Unity: Wattles’ insistence that positive thoughts shape physical health recalls the Greek ideal of mens sana in corpore sano (a healthy mind in a healthy body). However, unlike Greek thinkers like Plato, who explored this philosophically, Wattles’ approach is metaphysical, relying on a “Principle of Life” rather than reasoned inquiry.



Moderation: His advice to eat only when hungry and avoid excess vaguely aligns with the Greek principle of metron (moderation), but this is a universal concept, not a Greek-specific one. Wattles’ dietary rules owe more to Fletcherism than Pythagorean or Hippocratic diets.



Mental Discipline: The call to reject fear and focus on health resembles Stoic mental control, but Wattles’ framework lacks the ethical or rational rigor of Epictetus, leaning instead on faith-based visualization.

These parallels are incidental, diluted through Wattles’ New Thought lens, which draws indirectly from Neoplatonism via Emerson but never acknowledges Greek roots. Readers seeking Greek wisdom will find these echoes too faint to satisfy.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Without Greek references, the book’s value lies in its simplicity and motivational tone. Wattles’ clear instructions—eat mindfully, sleep restoratively, exercise naturally—are practical and align with modern wellness ideas. His emphasis on mindset anticipates research on stress and the placebo effect, offering timeless advice. The book’s brevity (under 100 pages) makes it an easy read, and its public domain status ensures accessibility.

However, the absence of Greek or classical grounding exacerbates the book’s flaws. Wattles’ rejection of medical science, including Greek-rooted empiricism, feels dogmatic and risky. His pseudoscientific claims about a “thinking substance” lack the philosophical depth of Greek metaphysics, appearing simplistic. For readers versed in Greek thought, the book’s lack of intellectual rigor or historical context may disappoint, as it prioritizes faith over reason.

Conclusion

The Science of Being Well offers practical health advice but contains no references to Greek culture or philosophy, direct or otherwise. Its faint echoes of Greek ideas—like mind-body balance or moderation—are too indirect to enrich a classically inclined reader’s experience. While the book’s motivational clarity suits those seeking straightforward self-help, its dismissal of medical science and lack of philosophical depth limit its appeal for those drawn to Greek wisdom. It’s a product of its time, best approached for its historical context rather than classical connections.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

audiolibro
muy repetitivo

ser conscientes de que comemos bebemos respiramos y dormimos, todo esta hecho de una sustancia elemental( Dios)
pensamientos positivos,visualización salid.actuar como que estamos sanos
sobre todo hacerlo.accion

la ciencia del bienestar
wallace wattles resumen

1. tener fe y aplicarlo.sino no sirve
2.  a.aprender a pensar en la salud perfecta

b. aprender a comer beber dormir respirar de una manera saludable

depende de como pensamos 
3. la vida y susborganismos.

la sustancia original es lo que esta hecho todo. es la vida en si misma

el ser humano no lo sabe todo nos falta xonsciwncia

como pensar con fe

como pensar en nosotros mismos para aplocar la salud en nosotros mismos
4
aprender que pensar
a firmarse una imagen mental de salud buena.y  familiarizarse con ella diariamente
tenemos.un cuerpo.fisico y uno mental.

5. la fe.
podemos tener fe en la salud o fe en la enfermedad,estamos compuestos de una materia original que impregna el cuerpo fisico y su funcionamiento esta determinado por su cuerpo mente.por la fe
la clave es aplicar la fe, no afirmar que tienes salud,sino crear que estas bien
adoptar posturas de salud,posturas andar erguido pecho fuera.
usar la gratitud, agradecer por la materia universal,tener relación de gratitud mental con Dios ,
la salud del.hombre se rige por elnprincipio universal de la materia original la fe y la gratitud a Dios se puede cultivar con el usonde la voluntad

6.el uso de la voluntad  44min

9
come cuanfo tengas hambre ganada.no comas en la mañana hasta que tengas hambre.
10 . que debo comer
como lo que quieras
sino tienes un hambre ganado y comes te haravdaño,
no pasa nada si dejas de comer un tiempo con hambre ganado.
11 comp comer

[Kuldeep Gupta · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Science of Being Well is a curious blend of profound wisdom and outdated assumptions. Some sections offer striking clarity and timeless truths, while others feel misaligned with modern scientific understanding.

1. Mental Attitude – 4/5
Wattles presents a strong case for the power of positive thinking, which remains foundational to wellness. However, the book tends to overlook the real burden of chronic illnesses and psychological disorders that can entrap individuals in cycles of fear—making its message feel somewhat oversimplified.

2. Food Advice – 2/5
His suggestions on how and how much to eat are insightful, advocating mindfulness and simplicity. But when it comes to what and when to eat, the advice lacks grounding in nutritional science and seems speculative. The book also ignores the depletion of food quality over time, a key reason modern diets often require macro and micronutrient supplementation.

3. Sleep – 5/5
This section shines. Wattles' emphasis on good ventilation and the habit of practicing gratitude before bed resonates deeply with modern sleep hygiene principles.

4. Drinking – 3/5
The guidance here is mixed. While he emphasizes tuning into the body’s thirst cues—a skill many have lost—modern convenience makes this difficult. A general hydration guideline would be more practical for most people today.

5. Breathing – 5/5
This is one of the most valuable parts of the book. Deep, conscious breathing is indeed a transformative tool for wellness, and Wattles rightly urges us to bring this subconscious function into conscious control.

[Tony Creech · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can pretty much copy and paste my review of his other hilarious book “the science of getting rich” : Mumbo jumbo defined. Mostly bullshit mixed with the gift of wording obvious things as if it was insight (like if you said “heavy stuff has weight”) mixed with pompous and cult-style assurances that the false logic is iron clad.

Here is a quote to grasp where he comes from (never with any real defense or attempt to prove it. ) he says “everything in the universe wants you to be well you have absolutely nothing to overcome but your own habit of thinking in a certain way about desease”

Take this shit to the cancer ward and see how many people get helped. 😂 no wonder this guy didn’t cure malaria