The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
A review by Travis Kellerman
The flight attendant lit up and actually spoke when he saw I was reading Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. He had gone through everything, from the safety instructions in the aisle, to drink orders, using only hand signals. I thought he may have been an ASL signer and deaf until he said, pointing to the book, “I read it once a year. You know what else?”
“No, what else?” I said, surprised.
“The Richest Man in Babylon.” he replied, twisting one side of his oiled mustache into a proper robber baron ‘stache again with his free hand.
The Richest Man in Babylon is a manifesto of hyper-individualism, the idea that financial success is purely a matter of personal discipline, as if wealth is always within reach if one simply tries hard enough. It ignores systemic inequality, state intervention, and the reality that not everyone starts from the same position. The book sells a seductive myth—wealth equals security, money begets more money, and those who don’t thrive simply lack the wisdom or discipline to do so. It never questions the system, only instructs readers on how to play by its rules.
Yet, for all its compliance, the book delivers elitist, classist financial “wisdom” that has endured for a reason. Save aggressively, invest wisely, don’t let emotions drive decisions—principles that remain relevant in a bubble. But of course context matters. The same advice that might work for a philanthropic merchant in ancient Babylon doesn’t translate neatly to an economy ruled by inflation, wage stagnation, and financial gatekeeping. The book presents a pre-Great Depression view of timeless lessons just before the crash that deleted it all. It predictably refuses to ask the bigger question: should wealth be the only measure of security?
My Saved Quotes, Robo-Notes, and Thoughts:
Page 1
“A part of all you earn is yours to keep.”
Emphasizes the importance of saving and investing a portion of income to build financial security. Reinforces financial discipline as a foundation for long-term stability.
Page 3
“Wealth, like a tree, grows from a tiny seed.”
Romanticizes the idea that small savings can lead to great fortune but ignores systemic barriers. Assumes equal access to opportunities, which is an oversimplification.
Page 26
“Even in Babylonian times, slaves of various races shared the same class struggle.”
Economic inequality transcends racial differences, uniting people in shared hardship. Demonstrates that class divides are often stronger than racial ones.
Page 28
“Money is a slave that works for you.”
The metaphor equates wealth to ownership and labor, reinforcing the idea that money should always be put to work. Wealth is portrayed as a tool of power and control.
Page 37
“Noble power and government still held power over wealth alone.”
References a time when political and governmental influence outweighed pure financial power. A shift in history from governance-driven economies to wealth-driven control.
Page 102
“Own thy home and pay it off quickly.”
Romanticizes home ownership and quick repayment, but in reality, mortgages span decades. Ignores modern financial complexities like interest rates, inflation, and wage stagnation.
Page 123
“A responsible man pays debts, cares for family, and ensures orderly inheritance.”
Reinforces financial responsibility as a moral duty. Assumes that stability is always within personal control, disregarding external economic pressures.
Page 137
“Even in hardship, owning slaves was considered normal.”
A stark reminder of historical social hierarchies and entrenched exploitation. Shows how normalized economic structures can persist even through crises.
Page 158
“Beware lending to those driven by emotions.”
Practical financial advice that warns against impulsive decision-making in money matters. Suggests that rationality should always dominate financial choices.
Page Final Page
“George Samuel Clason served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War.”
Links the book’s ideals to the era’s push for rugged individualism, free-market ideals, and self-reliance. Mirrors Teddy Roosevelt’s ideology, reflecting the cultural values of the time. Ayn Rand’s breeding ground.
Related Articles
Related
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
It took Lisa Taddeo eight years and six trips across the US to write and connect the raw stories of three different women—three people spread across a spectrum of age, class, and philosophy. It is the examination through testimony of events more common than we like...
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
My copy of Caste is covered in notes and questions. Nearly every page has a question, or a note of a contradiction. Her work is thoughtful, bold, and at the same time, confounding. The classism and elitism in her conclusions is hard to hear. The reduction of...