Emerson argues that financial success depends less on the absolute amount of money earned than on the relationship between income and expenditure. If spending is kept below income, even small additional earnings can accumulate over time. Wealth therefore begins with a surplus rather than with a particular level of income.

Within Wealth, the statement reflects Emerson’s practical view of economic independence. He emphasises discipline, proportion and the steady management of resources rather than sudden gains. The image of small “rills” of income suggests that repeated modest additions can become significant when expenses remain controlled. The quotation simplifies the many factors that influence wealth, including opportunity, debt, inflation and unexpected costs, but its central principle is clear: sustainable accumulation depends on maintaining a positive balance between what comes in and what goes out.