A DEFINITE CHIEF AIM 141in which that mind was engaged was but an incident in connection
with the accumulation of the Carnegie wealth. The same wealth could
have been accumulated had the Master Mind been directed in the coal
business or the banking business or the grocery business, because behind
that mind was power-the sort of power that you may attain when
you have organized the faculties of your own mind and allied yourself
with other well-organized minds for the attainment of a Definite Chief
Aim in life.
A careful checkup with several of Mr. Carnegie's former business
associates, which was made after this course was begun, proves conclu-
sively not only that there is such a law as that which has been called the
Master Mind, but that this law was the chief source of Mr. Carnegie's
success.
Perhaps there was never anyone associated with Mr. Carnegie who
knew him better than did Mr. C. M. Schwab, who, in the following
words, has very accurately described that "subtle something" in Mr.
Carnegie's personality which enabled him to rise to such stupendous
heights:
I never knew a man with so much imagination, lively intel-
ligence, and instinctive comprehension. You sensed that he
probed your thoughts and took stock of everything that you
had ever done or might do. He seemed to catch at your next
word before it was spoken. The play of his mind was dazzling
and his habit of close observation gave him a store of knowledge
about innumerable matters.
But his outstanding quality, from so rich an endowment,
was the power to inspire other men. Confidence radiated from
him. You might be doubtful about something and discuss the
matter with Mr. Carnegie. In a flash he would make you see
that it was right and then you would absolutely believe it; or
he might settle your doubts by pointing out its weakness. This
quality of attracting others, then spurring them on, arose from
his own strength.