George Clason initially wrote pamphlets on behalf of banks and insurance companies in the form of “Babylonian Parables”. These pamphlets were later compiled in a book form in 1926 on the richest man of Babylon.
The guiding spirit behind writing about money were simple. It was:
Money is plentiful for those who understand the simple laws that govern it’s acquisition.
Money is governed by the same laws which controlled it when prosperous men thronged the streets of Babylon 6000 years ago.
George Clason
Why we need to understand money?
Before taking you on a journey of stories, Clason gives you some clarity on the life ahead.He writes:
Ahead of you stretches your future like a road leading into a distance. Along that road are ambitions you wish to accomplish.....desires you wish to gratify. To bring your ambitions and desires to fulfillment, you must be successful with money....... Like the laws of gravity, these laws of money are universal and unchanging.
The book also clearly states that the prosperity of a nation depends upon the personal financial prosperity of each individual of that nation. So the prosperity of a nation also tells us how much the individuals of that nation know about money collectively.
The book has ten chapters or stories that is listed below.
- The Man Who Desired Gold
- The Richest Man in Babylon
- Seven Cures for a Lean Purse
- Meet the Goddess of Good Luck
- The Five Laws of Gold
- The Gold Lender of Babylon
- The Walls of Babylon
- The Camel Trader of Babylon
- The Clay Tablets from Babylon
- The Luckiest Man in Babylon.
All the chapters are very interesting to read and explore. I would urge you to read the book. We have the book in our library in three languages. English, Hindi & Marathi.
There are certain dialogues from Arkad, the richest man of Babylon which has stuck with me. Like this one:
I found the road to wealth when I decided that a part of all I earned was mine to keep.
Arkad
You will question that by saying that all you earn is yours to keep, right? No, Arkad clarifies.
Actually the moment we have an income, there are numerous people who come for payment. All you earn is paid out to others, not yourself!
Pay Yourself First
Arkad says that a part of all you earn is yours to keep. It should be not less than a tenth no matter how little you earn.
That’s what is the principle behind Pay Yourself First. It’s simply about taking out 10% of what you earn and invest it before you pay all the other people.
It’s such a simple thing but can transform your future in a big way. You will understand this as you continue to read the book.
The other story that really resonated with me was about the luckiest man in Babylon. It’s a story of Hadan Gula, a bejeweled youth and Sharru Nada, the merchant prince of Babylon.
Why choose work?
Hadan Gula was a youth who believed that work was fit only for slaves. While Sharru Nada is glad that work is not reserved for slaves, in which case he would have been deprived of his greatest pleasure, that is his work.
This is a conversation that resonated with me and I hope it does for you too.
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