The Richest Man in Babylon (Original Classic Edition)

by George S. Clason

Keep in mind that debts mean not only monetary borrowings, but also deadlines or obligations in any area of life where you’ve given your word.

“A part of all you earn is yours to keep. It should be not less than a tenth no matter how little you earn. It can be as much more as you can afford. Pay yourself first. Do not buy from the clothes-maker and the sandal-maker more than you can pay out of the rest and still have enough for food and charity and penance to the gods.

“Counsel with wise men. Seek the advice of men whose daily work is handling money.

“The purpose of a budget is to help thy purse to fatten.

Guard thy treasure from loss by investing only where thy principal is safe, where it may be reclaimed if desirable, and where thou will not fail to collect a fair rental. Consult with wise men. Secure the advice of those experienced in the profitable handling of gold. Let their wisdom protect thy treasure from unsafe investments.”

“The more of wisdom we know, the more we may earn.

she is a goddess of love and dignity whose pleasure it is to aid those who are in need and to reward those who are deserving. I look to find her, not at the gaming tables or the races where men lose more gold than they win but in other places where the doings of men are more worthwhile and more worthy of reward.

Good luck can be enticed by accepting opportunity.

“Gold is reserved for those who know its laws and abide by them.”

Without wisdom, gold is quickly lost by those who have it, but with wisdom, gold can be secured by those who have it not, as these three bags of gold do prove.

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