Timeless Financial Wisdom from Ancient Mesopotamia
"The Richest Man in Babylon" is a classic work of financial literature that presents timeless principles of wealth building through a series of parables set in ancient Babylon. Written by George S. Clason, this book has sold millions of copies and continues to influence financial thinking nearly a century after its initial publication.
The book is structured as a collection of stories told by characters living in Babylon, once the wealthiest city of the ancient world. Through these engaging tales, Clason distills fundamental financial principles that remain as relevant today as they were in antiquity.
What makes this book unique is its ability to convey complex financial concepts through simple, memorable stories that anyone can understand and apply to their own financial journey.
"A part of all you earn is yours to keep. It should be not less than a tenth no matter how little you earn."
Save at least one-tenth of all you earn. "For every ten coins thou placest within thy purse, take out for use but nine."
Budget your expenses so you may have money to pay for necessities and enjoyments without spending more than nine-tenths of your earnings.
Put each coin to laboring so that it may reproduce itself and build a stream of wealth that continues to flow into your purse.
Protect your principal from loss by investing only where your capital is safe and where you may reclaim it at will.
Own your own home so you may have more money to enjoy life and a profitable investment that provides security.
Provide in advance for the needs of your growing family and for your own protection in years to come.
"Wealth, like a tree, grows from a tiny seed. The first copper you save is the seed from which your tree of wealth shall grow. The sooner you plant that seed, the sooner shall the tree grow. And the more faithfully you nourish and water that tree with consistent savings, the sooner may you bask in contentment beneath its shade."
Gold comes gladly and in increasing quantity to any man who will put by not less than one-tenth of his earnings to create an estate for his future and that of his family.
Gold labors diligently and contentedly for the wise owner who finds for it profitable employment, multiplying even as the flocks of the field.
Gold clings to the protection of the cautious owner who invests it under the advice of men wise in its handling.
Gold slips away from the man who invests it in businesses or purposes with which he is not familiar or which are not approved by those skilled in its keep.
Gold flees the man who would force it to impossible earnings or who follows the alluring advice of tricksters and schemers or who trusts it to his own inexperience and romantic desires in investment.
The richest man in Babylon who shares his wisdom on wealth building with others. He teaches that wealth is not a matter of luck but of understanding and applying certain principles.
"I found the road to wealth when I decided that a part of all I earned was mine to keep."
A chariot builder who works hard but remains poor. He represents the person who works diligently but doesn't understand the principles of wealth accumulation.
"We work hard and yet have no money to show for our labor."
A musician and friend of Bansir who joins him in seeking wisdom from Arkad about why they remain poor despite their skills and hard work.
"We have been no more than slaves to our work with nothing to show for it."
The wealthy money lender who teaches a young Arkad the principles of wealth that would eventually make him the richest man in Babylon.
"You first learned to live upon less than you could earn. Next you learned to seek advice from those who were competent."
A spear maker who comes into sudden wealth and seeks advice on how to handle it, learning about wise investment and protection from loss.
"My purse is fat, and I am confused as to how to handle these pieces of gold."
The wise money lender of Babylon who advises Rodan on the five laws of gold and the importance of protecting one's principal.
"Better a little caution than a great regret."
Nearly a century after its initial publication, "The Richest Man in Babylon" continues to be a bestseller in personal finance literature. Its principles have stood the test of time because they address fundamental truths about human behavior and wealth accumulation.
The book's success lies in its simplicity and universal applicability. The principles work regardless of economic conditions, technological changes, or cultural contexts because they focus on fundamental human behaviors around money.
In today's complex financial world, the simple wisdom of Babylon remains remarkably relevant. The 10% savings rule, the importance of living within one's means, and the power of compound interest are foundational principles that modern financial advisors still recommend.
The book teaches that wealth building is not about complex investment strategies or get-rich-quick schemes, but about consistent application of basic principles over time.
Based on human nature, not market conditions
Easy to understand and implement
Worked for generations of wealth builders
Now that you understand the timeless principles from "The Richest Man in Babylon," use our calculators to see how these ancient wisdom can transform your modern financial life.