This excerpt from “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George S. Clason presents a guide to financial success through parables set in ancient Babylon. The text emphasizes that the principles of acquiring and keeping wealth are timeless and universal. It introduces various concepts for managing money, such as saving a portion of earnings, controlling expenditures, and investing wisely. The stories illustrate these ideas through characters who learn and apply these fundamental financial laws.

Unearthing Ancient Financial Wisdom: Timeless Lessons from The Richest Man in Babylon

Have you ever wondered if the secrets to building wealth are complex and reserved for a select few? The timeless parables found in The Richest Man in Babylon, first published as pamphlets in 1926, suggest that financial success is achievable for those who understand and follow simple, fundamental laws. This book has been hailed as a modern inspirational classic and a guide to financial understanding, offering insights on how to acquire money, keep it, and make it earn more.

Babylon itself was the wealthiest city in the ancient world, not due to abundant natural resources like forests or mines, but because its citizens appreciated the value of money and practised sound financial principles. The laws that governed money acquisition six thousand years ago in Babylon are presented as being the same laws that govern it today.

So, what are these foundational principles for accumulating wealth and overcoming a “lean purse”? Arkad, the richest man in Babylon, outlines a set of “Seven Cures for a Lean Purse” and the “Five Laws of Gold”, which are essentially the same wisdom presented from different perspectives.

Let’s explore the core actionable steps:

Start Thy Purse to Fattening: This is the very first cure and principle. The fundamental lesson is that a part of all you earn is yours to keep. It is recommended to save at least one-tenth of your earnings before spending anything. This saved portion is described as the seed from which your wealth-tree grows. Every coin you save can become a slave that works for you, and its earnings become children that earn more for you.
Control Thy Expenditures: The second cure addresses the need to manage your spending. The sources explain that “necessary expenses” tend to grow to equal income unless you deliberately protest against it. It is crucial to differentiate between necessary expenses and desires. A budget helps in determining what expenditures are necessary and which desires are attainable within the remaining nine-tenths of your income.
Make Thy Gold Multiply: The third cure is about making your savings earn more money. This involves making profitable investments. Gold in your purse is just the beginning; it is the income from investments that truly builds fortunes. Money is said to labour diligently for the wise owner who finds profitable employment for it.
Guard Thy Treasures From Loss: The fourth cure emphasises protecting your accumulated wealth. It is wise to secure investments carefully and learn before entrusting your wealth to others. The first sound principle of investment is security. You should seek advice from experienced and wise individuals in handling money to protect your wealth from risky ventures and unwise decisions.
Make of Thy Dwelling a Profitable Investment: The fifth cure highlights the value of homeownership. Owning your dwelling is presented as a means to reduce your cost of living and provide a secure asset. Many paid out large sums in rent, but borrowing to own a home can be a commendable purpose if the repayment plan is manageable. Paying regularly ensures the home becomes a profitable asset.
Insure a Future Income: The sixth cure stresses the importance of preparing for your future and the security of your family. This involves making provisions for financial security in old age. This can be achieved through wise investments that endure or by making small, regular payments into a plan that will provide income later.
Increase Thy Ability to Earn: The seventh cure points to the need to develop your skills and knowledge to enhance your earning potential. Strong desire is required to earn more. By learning and becoming more capable, you increase your ability to earn, which is a vital step towards financial success.

Beyond these practical steps, the sources also touch upon the concept of “luck” or “good fortune”. The book suggests that what is often perceived as good luck is not random chance, but rather the result of embracing opportunities. Opportunity is depicted as waiting for those who are ready for it, and it does not linger for those who delay. Procrastination is identified as an enemy of success. Men of action are said to be favoured by the Goddess of Good Luck.

The tale of Dabasar, the camel trader, illustrates the lessons learned about debt and self-respect. Having lost his wealth and freedom, he realised that his debts were his enemies. His journey back to respectability was marked by his determination to repay those he owed, demonstrating that where determination exists, a way can be found.

In essence, The Richest Man in Babylon teaches that the accumulation of wealth is governed by knowable principles. By consistently saving a portion of what you earn, controlling your spending, making wise investments under expert advice, protecting your capital, making your home an asset, planning for the future, and continuously increasing your ability to earn, you can build your own financial prosperity and achieve a “full purse”. These principles are as relevant today as they were in ancient Babylon.

🕰 Timeline of Events

🌆 Ancient & Pre-Narrative Events

~6000 years ago: Babylon thrives — prosperous men roam the city.
100+ years before narrative: Queen Semiramis constructs the great walls of Babylon.
Generations before:
- Arad Gula (Hadan Gula’s grandfather) builds then loses his fortune via reckless ventures.
- Becomes enslaved in Egypt after a failed grain expedition.
- Meets Dabaser and Megiddo in slavery.
- Nana-naid joins them; they collaborate to buy their freedom.
- Dabaser earns freedom through honey cake sales.
- Arad Gula eventually becomes respected and wealthy in Damascus.

🪙 Wealth Building Era

70 years ago: Arad Gula begins rebuilding his fortune.
40 years ago: His wealth is established; same fields still being worked.

📜 Story of Nomasir

10 years ago: Arad Gula gives Nomasir gold and wisdom tablet.
9 years ago: Nomasir, now broke, heads to Nineveh and trades to regain wealth.

📖 Story of Arkad & Algamish

2+ years ago: Algamish visits Arkad (scribe) and gives wealth-building lessons.
1 year later: Algamish returns to see Arkad’s progress.

🧠 Wisdom of Lending: Mathon’s Tale

Evening: Rodan (spearmaker) visits Mathon for financial advice.
Next morning: Story of the farmer from Nineveh — ox falls ill, ass works in its place.

💪 Dabaser’s Redemption Arc

Years ago: Dabaser works to repay debts post-slavery.
Full moon after return: Begins saving 1/10th of income.
Following moons: Progresses repaying creditors:
- Ahmar angry → eventually apologetic.
- Birejik pleased.
- Alkadad initially angry → later neutral.
Final creditor visit: All debts repaid, wife supports his transformation.

🏺 Babylonian Present

Recently: Young man seeks loan from Arkad.
Twice in one moon: Man denied wage increase.
Tarkad goes hungry for two days → meets Dabaser → eats with Kauskor.

🐪 Camel Deal & Redemption

10 days desert search: Dabaser returns; city gates locked.
Next day: Meets old farmer → camel sale.
Later: Buys camels from Nebatur.

🔄 Generational Arc

Same day: Arad Gula meets Sharru Nada, Megiddo.
Later: Hadan Gula, Sharru Nada encounter three old farmers.
Early morning: Hadan Gula is marched to the slave pens.
That night: Fears among slaves, Megiddo advises him.
Next day: Slave dealer beats Pirate.
Noon: Godoso reveals his hate for the dealer.
Evening: Hadan Gula escapes.
Next morning: Swasti the lender arrives with Sasi.

💼 Rise of Hadan Gula

Months pass: Hadan Gula slowly saves money.
One day: Spots slaves building walls; finds Zabado enslaved.
Soon: Becomes a merchant, reconnects with Arad Gula.
From that day forth: Dedicates himself to building wealth.

📚 Wisdom Being Shared Now

Yesterday: Rodan admires Mathon’s jewels.
Today: Mathon teaches Rodan via parables.
Now: Arkad teaches “Seven Cures” and “Five Laws of Gold.”

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Cast of Characters

🧠 Wealth Mentors

Arkad: Richest man in Babylon. Teaches practical wealth principles.
Algamish: Wealthy lender who mentors Arkad.
Kalabab: Narrator of Nomasir’s tale.
Mathon: Gold lender, teaches wisdom in lending.

🏛 Royal Figures

King Sargon: Ruler of Babylon; seeks Arkad’s wisdom for his people.
The Royal Chancellor: Advises King Sargon.

🛠 Working Class

Bansir: Chariot builder; seeks advice from Arkad.
Kobbi: Musician and friend of Bansir.
Rodan: Spearmaker; tempted by bad spending.

💰 Family of Wealth

Arad Gula: Once-rich, then poor, then rich again. Father to Nomasir, grandfather to Hadan Gula.
Nomasir: Learns through failure and applies the “Five Laws of Gold.”
Hadan Gula: Grandson of Arad, learns from hardship and rises from slavery.

🐫 Traders & Redeemed Men

Dabaser: Squandered inheritance, enslaved, rebuilt his life.
Megiddo: Slave turned foreman and partner to Hadan.
Nana-naid: Baker/housekeeper; helps Dabaser earn freedom.

🧾 Financial Figures

Swasti: Money lender; lends to Hadan’s master.
Sasi: Gruff builder of the Grand Canal.

📉 Tragic or Supporting Characters

Pirate: Slave dealer, known for cruelty.
Godoso: Fellow slave, hates Pirate.
Zabado: Once-friend of Hadan Gula, now enslaved.
Ahmar, Birejik, Alkadad: Dabaser’s creditors.
Nebatur: Syrian camel trader, fair and generous.

🥖 Everyday People

Tarkad: Hungry camel trader’s son, meets Dabaser.
Kauskor: Eatery owner in Babylon.
Urfa: Traveller who shares Dabaser’s story.
Sira: Dabaser’s first wife.

🧠 Quiz + Answer Key

Question	Answer
What is the primary function of money?	💸 Money is the medium by which earthly success is measured. 💬 钱是衡量世俗成功的工具。 💬 Деньги — это мера мирского успеха.
What does the text say about the abundance of money?	🤑 Money is plentiful for those who understand the simple laws which govern its acquisition. 💬 对于懂得致富法则的人来说，金钱是充足的。 💬 Деньги в изобилии у тех, кто понимает законы их приобретения.
What is the first simple rule of acquisition?	💰 Start thy purse to fattening. 💬 开始让你的钱包变胖。 💬 Начни наполнять свой кошелёк.
What is the third simple rule of acquisition?	📈 Make thy gold multiply. 💬 让你的财富增值。 💬 Заставь своё золото приумножаться.
What is the fifth simple rule of acquisition?	🏠 Make of thy dwelling a profitable investment. 💬 让你的住宅变成有利的投资。 💬 Сделай своё жильё выгодным вложением.
Who is Arkad, according to the Chancellor?	👑 Arkad is the richest man in Babylon. 💬 阿卡德是巴比伦最富有的人。 💬 Аркад — самый богатый человек в Вавилоне.
What does “Start thy purse to fattening” mean?	🐷 Save a portion of your earnings before spending. 💬 花钱前先存钱。 💬 Откладывай часть дохода до трат.
What percentage of one’s earnings should be saved?	🔟 One-tenth (10%) of all earnings should be saved. 💬 储蓄收入的十分之一。 💬 Откладывай одну десятую часть дохода.
What is the lesson from the gold lent to Agger?	💡 Make profitable investments and have your savings earn for you. 💬 投资要明智，让钱为你工作。 💬 Вкладывай разумно, чтобы сбережения приносили доход.
What is the sixth cure for a lean purse?	🧓 Insure a future income. 💬 确保未来收入。 💬 Обеспечь себе доход в будущем.

📝 Essay Format Questions (🔥With Gen Z Insight)

1. Seven Cures for a Lean Purse

Each one slaps differently:

Start thy purse to fattening – Save 10%. Basic but crucial.
Control thy expenditures – Don’t blow all your cash on brunch and gadgets 🥲
Make thy gold multiply – Investments > hoarding.
Guard thy treasures from loss – No YOLOing on shady crypto pumps.
Make of thy dwelling a profitable investment – Own it, don’t just rent.
Insure a future income – Think retirement, pensions, passive income.
Increase thy ability to earn – Upskill or get left behind.

💬 这些方法让你从“月光族”变成“财务自由达人”。 💬 Эти шаги помогают перейти от бедности к богатству.

2. Dabasar’s Tale: Debt & Self-Respect

Dabasar was deep in debt 💸🐫 but turned it around by owning his responsibilities and making a plan. The key takeaways:

Don’t ignore your debts—they’ll haunt you.
Repayment builds self-respect and reputation.
Honour > temporary pleasure.

💬 债务不解决，你的人生就卡住了。 💬 Долги — это тормоз. Погаси их и иди вперёд.

3. The Five Laws of Gold

Straight 🔥 in modern terms:

Save 10% 🏦
Invest wisely 🧠
Use advice from experts only 🧓
Avoid investments you don’t understand ❌
Run from get-rich-quick schemes 🏃‍♂️💨

💬 这五条金律今天也适用，就像理财圣经一样。 💬 Эти законы работают и сейчас. Проверено временем.

4. Luck vs Fortune

The book’s stance: 💡 Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Not vibes, not stars, not crystals.

Arkad says: fortune favours the disciplined.
Inaction is the biggest thief of luck.

💬 运气=准备+机会。 💬 Удача — это подготовка плюс шанс.

5. Character Comparisons

Character	Lesson
Arkad	💸 Built wealth from nothing, by discipline and learning.
Dabasar	🐫 Recovered from debt, shows the path of redemption.
Agger the Shieldmaker	⚔️ Failed to invest wisely, illustrates the danger of blind trust.
The Money Lender	🧾 Practical, cautious, values responsibility.

💬 每个人的故事就像不同的理财教科书。 💬 У каждого персонажа — свой путь к богатству или провалу.

📚 Glossary Recap (Quickfire ⚡️)

Lean Purse – Empty wallet. 心酸。
Fattening Thy Purse – Stack that bread.
Simple Rules of Acquisition – OG money rules.
Make Thy Gold Multiply – Let your money make money.
Guard Thy Treasures – Don’t invest like a clown 🤡
Profitable Dwelling – Your home = your asset.
Insure a Future Income – Plan for old you 🧓
Increase Ability to Earn – Skill up or tap out.
Wisdom – Experience + learning = fire combo 🔥
Procrastination – That lazy devil 👿
Determination – Inner grind 💪
Debts – Gotta pay them off. Always.
Token Chest – Ancient spreadsheet lol.

Audio Book : https://youtu.be/WmZ3d72YG8E