One of the items in my to-do checklist for 2013 is to read more books. Even as a kid and then as an adult, I’ve always loved reading, not just for the entertainment value but for all the things I learn as well. It is my belief that a person can never read enough in this lifetime.
A person can come up with a thousand and one reasons not to read. In my case, it’s time and the sheer scarcity of it. But like any well-meaning time management experts out there are likely to say, if your desire for something is big enough, you will find that you always have time for it.
Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of immersing myself in a book that has been touted one of the greatest financial books of all time – The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason. I enjoyed every moment I spent reading it, even the archaic language used by the people of Babylon didn’t bother me a bit. Written more than a century ago, the financial principles taught in the book, even to this very day, hold true.
Here are some of the passages I especially loved about The Richest Man in Babylon:
- Our acts can be no wiser than our thoughts. Our thinking can be no wiser than our understanding.
- No one lends his entire fortune, not even to his best friend.
- With a new understanding, we shall find honorable ways to accomplish our desires.
- If you have not acquired more than a bare existence in the years since we were youths, it is because you either have failed to learn the laws that govern the building of wealth, or else you do not observe them.
- I found the road to wealth when I decided that a part of all I earned was mine to keep.
- Every gold piece you save is a slave to work for you. Every copper it earns is its child that also can earn for you. If you would become wealthy, then what you save must earn, and its children must earn.
- 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.
- Advice is something 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.
- You do eat the children of your savings. Then how do you expect them to work for you? And how can they have children that will also work for you?
- Opportunity is a haughty goddess who wastes no time with those who are unprepared.
- Only a great desire for wealth. Besides this, nothing.
- Surely it is a law of the gods that unto him who keepeth and spendeth not a certain part of all his earnings shall gold come more easily. Likewise, him whose purse is empty does gold avoid.
- For each ten coins I put in, to spend but nine.
- What each of us calls our “necessary expenses” will always grow to equal our incomes unless we protest to the contrary.
There are still a lot more lines that I would have wanted to include in here, lines that I’ve written in my planner as part of my daily reflections, but I wouldn’t want to take away from you the joy of discovering them on your own.
To start reading The Richest Man in Babylon, here’s a free e-book copy furnished by BizBuildersUSA.org.
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Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed reading this article. Keep it coming! 🙂
You are most welcome, Mari. Thanks, too, for the visit and for the comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the article.
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Hi Maricel,
I also have this same book and I’ve read it twice or thrice since I bought it last 2003. It is such a magnificent book because it teaches us not only about gaining Financial Freedom but also the glaring terrain, contexture and sketch of the Historical Babylon.
I like the story of Arkad who was a hardworking scribe and became rich by following a principle – ‘a part of all I earned was mine to keep.’
But my favorite is the story of Debasir and the challenges he faced and how he was determined to pay all his creditors.
Apart for the stories, the language used takes us to a time in history where the old English was once commonly used (during KIng James VI’ era).
Such a wonderful book.
Thank you for sharing and for igniting our senses again.
/Ron/
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Ron, so sorry for the very late reply. Yes, the story of Debasir is one to really like, given his willingness to pay everyone he owed. Sometimes, it’s easier to just run away, but facing our responsibilities like a man (or a strong woman, in my case, LOL) should set us free, no matter what the consequences.
Thank you for all your support, Ron!
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Hi Cel,
Thanks for sharing your review about this book.. 🙂 And mostly, thanks for the ebook link.. 🙂
Though I am still trying to convert it to e-pub version, still many thanks in advance. It’s in the queue for my reading…
Cheers
No problem, Cyra. I had fun reading the book. I’m sure you would, too. It’s one action-packed (in terms of lessons, of course) read. Thanks for visiting and for your untiring support of this blog!
Maricel recently posted…Clarity of Purpose, Team Focus and Your Workflow Tracking Software – Do They Sing the Same Tune?
Thank you Maricel, for sharing your opinion with us, I will try to find this book and once I read it, I will let you know my opinion too 🙂
thanks
JamesW recently posted…No Change to RPI, No Change to Base Rates
Hey, James, you’re welcome. The link is up there at the end of the post, you can download a free e-book copy using that link. 🙂
Maricel recently posted…52-Week Financial Lessons When You Subscribe
Thank you Maricel. I found the link first time and I’m already at the half of the book. I will let you know my opinion once i get more free time to finish reading it 🙂
JamesW recently posted…StoreNextDoor – Earn Some Extra Money by Renting Your Spare Space
Hey, James, that’s good. I would love to hear your opinion, too.
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Very interesting book, thanks for sharing great article. Also thanks for the free e book.
Mark recently posted…List of Online Stock Brokers in the Philippines
Hello, Mark, welcome to my blog and thanks for visiting. About the e-book, I enjoyed it immensely and I thought to go ahead and share it, too. Glad you like it.
Maricel Rivera recently posted…24 Ways to Increase Your Productivity
I have learned so much from that book! Sometimes we just need to hear things over and over from different people before things finally stick. Saving 10% was one of those things. I actually saved 10% for a month and just recently got a $100 per week raise! This “stuff” works!
=)
Great Post!
Rob Fraser
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