“What I do is help people understand and act on time-honored truths about money that will truly change your whole life.”

Dave Ramsey broadly defines his own purpose in authoring books about personal finance. He sets his ambitions higher than merely giving people information—he hopes to have a greater impact. Also, he does not say his task is to discover new truths or invent new strategies—his principles are familiar because they work.

“Don’t confuse extreme confidence with arrogance. I am extremely confident that this material works, because millions of people have benefitted from it. I am not arrogant because I realize I am not personally responsible for any of the lives changed.”

This distinction is crucial for Ramsey to defend his character. He so often speaks of the arrogance rampant among financial professionals and professors that he risks being discredited by association. By admitting that he is not responsible for all the good that has come from his message, Ramsey assumes a humble posture.

“My Total Money Makeover begins with a challenge. The challenge is you. You are the problem with your money. […] You are the king of your future, and I have a plan. The Total Money Makeover plan isn’t theory. It works every time. It works because it is simple. It works because it gets to the heart of your money problems: you. […] All winners pay a price to win.”

Ramsey assumes the tone of a motivational speaker or personal coach because he appreciates the importance of motivation. He convinces readers to try his plan by getting them fired up, not by provoking their curiosity with tantalizing hints of financial secrets.