The Richest Man in Babylon

by George S. Clason

Our acts can be no wiser than our thoughts.

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

when youth comes to age for advice he receives the wisdom of years.

too often does youth think that age knows only the wisdom of days that are gone, and therefore profits not. But remember this, the sun that shines today is the sun that shone when thy father was born, and will still be shining when thy last grandchild shall pass into the darkness.

Fool! You pay to everyone but yourself. Dullard, you labor for others.

“‘A part of all you earn is yours to keep. It should be not less than a tenth no matter how little you earn.

Advice is one thing that is freely given away, but watch that you take only what is worth having.

He who takes advice about his savings from one who is inexperienced in such matters, shall pay with his savings for proving the falsity of their opinions.’

If I set for myself a task, be it ever so trifling, I shall see it through. How else shall I have confidence in myself to do important things?

“Deride not what I say because of its simplicity. Truth is always simple.

That what each of us calls our ‘necessary expenses’ will always grow to equal our incomes unless we protest to the contrary.

Each of you, together with your good families, have more desires than your earnings can gratify.

“All men are burdened with more desires than they can gratify.

Be not misled by thine own romantic desires to make wealth rapidly.

“No man’s family can fully enjoy life unless they do have a plot of ground wherein children can play in the clean earth and where the wife may raise not only blossoms but good rich herbs to feed her family.

“To a man’s heart it brings gladness to eat the figs from his own trees and the grapes of his own vines. To own his own domicile and to have it a place he is proud to care for, putteth confidence in his heart and greater effort behind all his endeavors. Therefore, do I recommend that every man own the roof that sheltereth him and his.

“Preceding accomplishment must be desire.

Thy desires must be strong and definite. General desires are but weak longings.

Opportunity waits for no man. Today it is here; soon it is gone. Therefore, delay not!’

good luck waits to come to that man who accepts opportunity,”

“Wealth that comes quickly goeth the same way.

“Youth is ambitious. Youth would take short cuts to wealth and the desirable things for which it stands. To secure wealth quickly youth often borrows unwisely.

The hungrier one becomes, the clearer one’s mind works — also the more sensitive one becomes to the odors of food.

Ill fortune pursues every man who thinks more of borrowing than of repaying.

no man can respect himself who does not repay honest debts.’

“Where the determination is, the way can be found,”

‘No work to do is bad for any man,’