8

Coffman's 1927 manual notes a small joke in the arithmetic. The word Success adds to 17 and reduces to 8, the word God also adds to 17, and he observes that many people make the first into the second. It is a fair starting point for a number that the old books tie so closely to commerce.

Walton's 1914 chapter gives business and material achievement to 8, while Cheasley in 1916 labels it material perfection and adds judgment and organization. Taylor in 1926 links its letters to money, on condition that energy is directed wisely and unselfishly. Balliett's 1905 statement that wealth comes naturally to this key-note is her own flat claim and stays with her book.

Modern popular readings take the same old list and describe an Expression of 8 as talent for organizing people and resources. Sepharial's 1911 list goes a different way and gives 8 protection and justice. Worked through, Luis Park gives 16 and 19, which reduce to 7 and 1, and together make 8.