The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

 16/∞

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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My rating? This book is fucking amazing! I will give it 6 out of 5, because I was so pleased with it’s knowledge and playful narrative style it offers. 

I could immediately see why this book was a great source of inspiration for Kyiosaki. He mirrors many principles mentioned in The Rich and Poor Dad and mentioned The Richest Man in Babylon as a book which actually earned him money, shit loads of money. 

Would you read a book which can earn you money? Even if it is wrapped up in a fairy-tale? Or would you rather let this opportunity slip out of your fingers? 😏

…

Another great surprise for me was the book’s first publish date. It was firstly published in 1926! Would you believe it? It is even older than Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich (1936). Which means that the principles of how to become rich were available already to our great-grandfathers. Therefore there is no excuse for you not to know how to handle your money.

While there were some parts in Think and Grow Rich which were totally outdated, I certainly cannot say the same about The Richest Man In Babylon. This piece is entirely … fucking … timeless!  

For those who have already read Kyiosaki. This book is a great add on. For anybody who haven’t made any investment yet, but truly wishes to learn how to accumulate riches, this book is an awesome foundation stone to build on.

Out of my perspective, it contains all the knowledge you need to have in order to become a free man and not a slave of others. Moreover, it is entertaining! 

It starts with: “pay yourself first” principle. No matter the circumstances, ALWAYS pay yourself first (Kyiosaki says that, Brian Tracy says that, Grant Cardone says that). I say that, too! 

Another rule goes: set aside 1/10 of what you earn. Here it depends on how much are you able to save up, the more, the better.

When reading this book, my first thought was: “Why is this not taught in schools?” Why are children taught so many useless subjects, but not pay yourself first rule? Would people be then less dependent on states and politicians? Would politicians loose their depended and votes when the citizens would be smarter and able to take care of themselves? 

I’m already utterly convinced that schools are build to produce slaves, not free men.

Anyway! The Richest Man in Babylon is a fictional story. It reminded me of Alchemist by Paolo Coelo. While Coleo’s story is more of spiritual character ( such as self-finding and self-knowledge), The Riches Man in Babylon tells stories of citizens of Babylon. Babylon with its “Hanging Gardens” was once the greatest city in the world and its people were very skilled in pecuniary transactions. The Babylonians are then sharing their wisdom with you all, my dear readers, in this book.

Babylon had also a different hierarchy in comparison to today’s society. It consisted of a free men and slaves. The reason why I’m mentioning this is because there are many beautiful hyperboles related to slaves and free men!

The book also contains a great story about camel trader who was once a free man, but whose spending habits and later debts turned him into slave. But through restless dedication to become a free man again, he was able to do it.

Accumulation of wealth:

Many people even today do believe that you have to inherit money or to win in lottery in order to become rich. I believe in the contrary. You start small, as you learn how to handle the little to have you will become ready to handle more and more: 

“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.”

Money are slaves and shall make you more slaves

I like the quote that money is your slaves. They shall work for you, not you for them. Once you put them to work you can expect them to have children and more children and more children… But do not spend lavishly my friends and do not eat children of your slaves, for that when in work, they can make you even more slaves.

Opportunity is here today tomorrow is gone 

Never waste a good opportunity. Opportunity comes only to those who are ready to seize it. But beware, it takes much work and preparation. As the says goes: “Luck favours prepared mind.”

Also keep in mind that:

“Men of action are favoured by the goddess of good luck.”

5 rules of gold

Another timeless principles contained in this book are 5 rules of gold.

I. Save at least 10% of your income for your future investments.

II. Invest in profitable ventures and let your money work for you.

“Without wisdom, gold is quickly lost by those who have it, but with wisdom, gold can be secured by those who have it not.”

“Wealth the comes quickly goeth the same way. Wealth that stayeth to give enjoyment and satisfaction to its owner comes gradually, because it is a child born of knowledge and persistent purpose.”

III. Take caution and consult with experts before investing.

“It costs nothing to ask wise advice from a good friend.”

“Gold slippeth 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.”

IV. Always be familiar with businesses you are investing in.

V. Beware of those offering a quick profit, of tricksters and watch out for your romantic desires (women are usually cause of chaos for men, my advice, never listen to women and never bend yourself backwards to satisfy their unrealistic needs).

“Without wisdom, gold is quickly lost by those who have it, but with wisdom, gold can be secured by those who have it not.”

Procrastination

“Every man must master his own spirit of procrastination before he can expect to share in the rich treasures of Babylon.”

Be cautious with your investments

“Better a little caution now than a great regret later.”

The walls of Babylon

As you will build up your wealth, it will slowly starts to resemble the walls of Babylon. Something you have to lean on in times of distress.

Work

In my last review I spoke about how Orwell perceived work. Now, The Richest Man in Babylon put the definition of work into another dimension:

“Treat work it as your friend not as your enemy.”

I totally agree with that. If you do something you hate, quit and find something what makes you happy. It is only when you do work you enjoy that you can become the best in your field (it also does not feel like work, it is fun and therefore nobody can take you over).

“Remember, work well done does good to the man who does it. It makes him a better man.”

Finally the difference between a slave and a free man

We all have bodies, but the one who is slave is slave because of his mind:

“Soul of a free man sees life as a set of problems that could be solved, but soul of a slave wines when confronted with a problem.”

Which one do you have? 😏

To that I only say:

“Act like a free man and succeed like one! Decide what thou desirest to accomplish and then work will aid thee to achieve it!”

It all starts with desire to do, to become…

“Preceding accomplishment must be desire. Thy desires must be strong and definite.”

Desire, or even burning desire sometimes is at the beginning of all changes and progress. Do not underestimate your own desires. Once clarified, work for them.

About “friends”

“If you desire to help thy friend, do so in a way that will not bring thy friend’s burdens upon thyself.”

We all have those trash friends who think you will do their work for them. My advice would be: Tell them to go and fuck themselves! I remember when I came back from the UK (after graduation from the British law school) when some of my dumb classmates at Czech university wanted ME to write their fucking assignments! I told them to go and fuck themselves. 🙃 I can speak foreign languages way better that those losers, but I will never do any skilled work for anybody unless he or she pays the fair price (and I’m expensive). 😉 But they can go to fuck themselves anyway because they were brought up a flock of sheep ready to be slaughtered by a communist system.

Conclusion:

I loved this book. It is timeless masterpiece. No more words needed. 🙂

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

👉 Buy this book! 👈 through my link and help me build this website! 😊

Feel free to like, share and comment or recommend books you find inspirational yourself. I’m keen to hear about them.

Coming Up Next: 

The Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

Peace 🧘‍♂️✌️🌱