1. “Start Thy Purse to Fattening” — Save Before You Spend
The first rule is also the simplest:
Pay yourself first.
Before you pay bills, before you buy anything, set aside at least 10% of your income for yourself — not for spending, but for building wealth.
It sounds obvious, but this single habit creates the foundation for financial independence. Saving isn’t about deprivation; it’s about building the freedom to make choices later.
Once I started doing this consistently, I realized how little the rest of my spending changed — and how much calmer I felt about money.
2. “Make Thy Gold Multiply” — Let Your Money Work for You
Saving alone won’t make you rich. You have to invest what you save so that your money starts earning money.
In the book, gold is a metaphor for capital. When you lend or invest it wisely, it produces “offspring” — more gold. Today, that might mean index funds, businesses, or other assets that generate returns over time.
The lesson: Don’t let your money sit idle. Give it a job.
3. “Guard Thy Treasures from Loss” — Be Cautious with Investments
Babylon’s richest man warns repeatedly against chasing quick profits or following advice from people who don’t understand what they’re talking about.
This translates perfectly into today’s world of hype-driven investing: meme stocks, crypto pumps, or too-good-to-be-true startups.
The principle is timeless — only invest in what you understand, and seek counsel from those with proven experience.
“It is wise to be cautious in matters of treasure.”
4. “Make of Thy Dwelling a Profitable Investment” — Own, Don’t Rent (Wisely)
In Babylonian terms, this meant building or buying your own home. In modern terms, it’s a reminder to turn expenses into assets whenever possible.
Homeownership, when done prudently, can turn rent payments into equity. But the deeper lesson is about control — owning assets that reduce dependency and build long-term stability.
5. “Ensure a Future Income” — Think Long-Term
The book constantly reminds you that wealth isn’t just for now; it’s also about security for the future.
That means planning for retirement, insurance, and investments that continue to pay when you no longer can.
It’s not exciting advice, but it’s the difference between short-term comfort and lasting independence.
6. “Increase Thy Ability to Earn” — Invest in Yourself
Perhaps the most overlooked lesson: your earning power is your greatest asset.
Learn new skills. Seek better opportunities. Stay curious.
In Babylon, this meant becoming a better craftsman; today it might mean learning to code, understanding markets, or improving communication skills.
“The more of wisdom we know, the more we may earn.”
This idea ties all others together — the more valuable you become, the more easily you can apply every other rule.
7. Wealth Comes from Discipline, Not Luck
The richest men in Babylon aren’t lucky; they’re disciplined.
They follow the same small, boring steps for years — saving consistently, investing carefully, avoiding foolish risks.
That’s the quiet message of the book: wealth is not a secret; it’s a set of habits repeated over time.
đź’ Final Reflection
What makes The Richest Man in Babylon powerful is not the money advice itself — it’s how clearly it shows that financial success is built on character: discipline, patience, and consistency.
The rules haven’t changed in thousands of years because human behavior hasn’t either.
Whether your “gold” is in crypto, ETFs, or cash in a savings account, the principles remain the same:
earn more than you spend, save regularly, invest wisely, protect your capital, and never stop learning.
🪙 In Short
Wealth isn’t magic.
It’s math — guided by wisdom.
And The Richest Man in Babylon remains one of the simplest, most human reminders of that truth.