The Richest Man in Babylon

Started as Bank Pamphlets: The book began as individual pamphlets distributed by U.S. banks and insurance companies between 1920 and 1924. These financial institutions handed them out to customers as educational tools about thrift and saving. The pamphlets became so wildly popular that Clason bound them together into a single book in 1926.

Set 4,000+ Years Ago: The parables take place in ancient Babylon, over 4,000 years before the book’s publication. Clason chose Babylon because despite having no natural resources or geographical advantages, it became one of the wealthiest cities in the ancient world. This made it the perfect setting to prove that anyone can build wealth regardless of circumstances.

Author Was a Mapmaker: George S. Clason founded the Clason Map Company in Denver, Colorado. His company published the very first road atlas of the United States and Canada in 1923. Unfortunately, the map company didn’t survive the Great Depression, but his book outlived his business by nearly a century.

Main Character Arkad’s Journey: The protagonist Arkad starts as a poor scribe with an empty purse. Through applying financial principles, he transforms himself into the richest man in Babylon. The king of Babylon then commands Arkad to teach 100 citizens his wealth secrets so they can spread financial wisdom throughout the kingdom.

The Famous 10% Rule: The First Cure for a Lean Purse advises saving exactly one-tenth of all earnings. Arkad tells his students to take out only nine coins for every ten they earn. This “pay yourself first” concept became one of the most influential personal finance principles ever written.

Sold Over 2 Million Copies: The book has sold more than two million copies since its publication. It remains in print nearly 100 years later and is still regarded as a classic of personal financial advice. Modern financial experts frequently cite it as an influence on their thinking.

Author Lived 82 Years: George Samuel Clason was born November 7, 1874, in Louisiana, Missouri, and died April 7, 1957, in Napa, California. He served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War and attended the University of Nebraska. He had two children who also became authors.

Illustrated Edition Worth $1,250: Clason published a special illustrated hardback edition in 1930 titled “The Richest Man in Babylon and Other Stories.” Today, this collector’s edition sells for approximately $1,250. The original was published just four years after the standard 1926 version.

Seven Cures Structure: The book organizes its wisdom into “Seven Cures for a Lean Purse” and “Five Laws of Gold.” The seven cures cover saving, controlling expenses, making money multiply, guarding treasures, owning your home, ensuring future income, and increasing earning ability. This clear structure made complex financial concepts accessible to millions.

Originally Titled “Gold Ahead”: Before becoming “The Richest Man in Babylon,” Clason’s book was called “Gold Ahead.” The title was changed to match the most famous parable in the collection. This marketing decision helped the book become instantly recognizable and memorable.

Published During Roaring Twenties: The 1926 publication came during an era of reckless consumer spending and buying on margin. Just three years later, the 1929 stock market crash proved Clason’s conservative advice prescient. His message about thrift and careful investing gained even more relevance during the Great Depression that followed.