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I tried reading this book in its original English version a few years ago, but I didn’t get very far. The old-fashioned language made it tough, and I wasn’t exactly excited about constantly grabbing my phone to look up words… But then I came across the Dutch translation by Michael Pilarczyk, and my curiosity kicked in again. I picked it back up — and finished it within a week. 😁
The Richest Man in Babylon is truly an inspiring book filled with financial wisdom, wrapped in stories set in ancient Babylon. It follows people who struggle with debt, dream of wealth, or simply want to handle their money more wisely. The key lessons come from Arkad, the richest man in the city, who explains how anyone — regardless of background or income — can achieve financial freedom.
Here are a few of the core lessons from the book (not all of them 😉):
1. Pay yourself first
Set aside at least ten percent of everything you earn. Put it away before you pay a single bill or spend a cent.
2. Control your expenses
Learn to distinguish between what you need and what you think you need. Wealth begins with getting control over your habits.
3. Make your money work for you
Invest wisely. Money that earns money will keep growing — that’s how real wealth is built.
The book reads like a collection of short stories, making it easy to understand and remember. It feels less like a financial handbook and more like a series of timeless lessons that inspire you to manage your money smarter.
Some lines I underlined while reading:
• Work is necessary to earn a living, but if you have to work, choose something you enjoy and find fulfilling.
• Advice is free. Just be sure to only accept what’s actually valuable. Anyone who takes financial advice from someone inexperienced pays for it with their savings.
• Luck is a proud goddess who doesn’t waste time on people who don’t see her coming.
This is another book I can highly recommend! You can get through it in no time. Hopefully this short summary and review has made you curious enough to pick it up yourself!
Thanks for reading 🩷
If you live in The Netherlands;
🇳🇱 Bestel de Nederlandse editie hier! 🇳🇱
🇺🇲 Buy the Original English edition here! 🇺🇲
