The Richest Man in Babylon

'I found the road to wealth when I decided that a part of all I earned was mine to keep. And so will you.'

You first learned to live upon less than you could earn. Next you learned to seek advice from those who were competent through their own experiences to give it. And, lastly, you have learned to make gold work for you.

"Confuse not the necessary expenses with thy desires.

"This, then, is the third cure for a lean purse: to put each coin to laboring that it may reproduce its kind even as the flocks of the field and help bring to thee income, a stream of wealth that shall flow constantly into thy purse."

Advice is one thing that is freely given away, but watch that you take only what is worth having.

"In this tale we see how good luck waits to come to that man who accepts opportunity,"

"Then learn to make your treasure work for you. Make it your slave. Make its children and its children's children work for you.

Provide in advance for the needs of thy growing age and the protection of thy family."

" 'Thy debts are thine enemies who have run thee out of Babylon,'