The Richest Man in Babylon - George.S.Clason - Book Review

                    Recently, I was searching for some basic books related to financial planning so that I can get familiarized with the same. I was recommended to read this book by a friend of mine and I started with the same when I got a hold of the book.

                   The book is set in the Babylonian civilization. At the pinnacle of their civilization, they were the wealthiest in the world. Some of the citizens there are finding it hard to make both ends meet with the earnings they are drawing. This leads them to have a conversation with their friend who happens to be the richest man in Babylon. The person advises on how to properly manage their savings and how to accumulate wealth. This book is a very good read for beginners or in fact for anyone who wants to have an idea of financial planning. Most of the ideas and views mentioned here were there around us to date but we might not have given a serious note. The book lays stress on the qualities like saving, planning, dedication, foresight, risk assessment, etc. It is almost the same points being iterated in the whole book but they were presented in a way that it seeps into us and not bore us with redundancy. This greatly helps the subject to be imbibed into us for good. The language is pretty simple without any complicated financial jargon which was really good for a newbie like me. The author stresses the importance of taking advice from the right people and believing in them during investments. People with knowledge who need a deeper read will be disappointed with this book but anyone who wants to get the basics strong will definitely be benefitted. Most of the concepts have been explained with the help of gold which is different from the current situation but the concepts still remain the same for readers of this century. I really liked some of the quotes mentioned in the book which made me take a note in my journal.

                    In short, this is a book that will be useful for people who look for a good read on the basics of savings and planning which are sort of the core in wealth management of any sort across the world.

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

"A part of all I earn is mine to keep.' Say it in the morning when you first arise. Say it at noon. Say it at night. Say it each hour of every day. Say it to yourself until the words stand out like letters of fire across the sky."

“Wealth, like a tree, grows from a tiny seed. The first copper you save is the seed from which your tree of wealth shall grow. The sooner you plant that seed the sooner shall the tree grow. And the more faithfully you nourish and water that tree with consistent savings, the sooner may you bask in contentment beneath its shade.”

“The man who became of his understanding of the laws of wealth, acquireth a growing surplus, should give thought to those future days. He should plan certain investments or provisions that may endure safely for many years, yet will be available when the time arrives which he has so wisely anticipated.”