The Richest Man in Babylon

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason (1926)

"A part of all you earn is yours to keep." Financial wisdom through parables set in ancient Babylon. Arkad, the richest man in Babylon, teaches the "Seven Cures for a Lean Purse" — timeless principles of saving, investing, and building wealth.

Historical Significance:
George S. Clason, a Colorado businessman, began distributing his "Babylonian parables" as pamphlets through banks and insurance companies in the 1920s. Collected into book form in 1926, The Richest Man in Babylon has sold over 2 million copies and is the most recommended personal finance book by financial advisors worldwide. Its core lesson — save at least 10% of everything you earn — was revolutionary in the roaring 1920s and remains the foundation of every modern savings strategy. Dave Ramsey, Robert Kiyosaki, and virtually every personal finance educator cites it. The parable format makes complex financial concepts accessible to readers of all backgrounds.

This public domain classic was originally published in 1926. Free to read and share.