Napoleon Hill - A Lifetime of Tragedy

Just after the great depression, Napoleon Hill married again and also wrote and published "Think and Grow Rich", with the support and persistence of his wife.

This was an enormous success, but Hill and his young wife wasted no time spending more than they earned (a clear violation of Hill's own principles). Not long after, his wife duped him out of all the royalties of all of his works and left him penniless.

Napoleaon Hill learned about the popularity of "Think and Grow Rich" in Los Angeles and used his work and started with regular lectures to eager students. 
This was enormously successful and Hill was even given an honorary doctorate from Pacific International University. He also started a weekly radio program which helped spread his message. 
His success made him able to live off his name and the popularity of his books.

• Despite Napoleon Hill's brilliance and principles for success, he barely eked out a living for most of his life.
• While he preached the gospel of saving a percentage of earnings, he spent frivolously.
• While he spoke of having a pleasing personality as a key to success, he was known to be abrasive.
• Hill finally achieved his definite chief aim, but not before going through a lifetime of tragedy.

• Saving earnings to prepare for eventual rainy days
• Consideration for those closest to you
• Vetting associates and partners
• The necessity for adequate planning
• The importance of testing ideas before launch