Books are like gold mines.

There’s lots of rocks, lots of dirt, and only a few golden nuggets. Both the miner and the reader dive in hoping they’ll unearth enough gold to be worth the effort.

This Labor Day, I finished reading The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason. It was packed full of gold for me!

Golden Nuggets

You should still read the book; you might find other little nuggets of information that serve as gold to you.

Learning is of two kinds: One kind being of things we learned and knew, and the other being the training that taught us how to find out what we did not know.

“I found the road to wealth when I decided that a part of all I earned was mine to keep, and so will you.” – Page 17. When you spend your money as fast is fills your wallet… is it every really yours?

Trust the brickmaker to lay bricks, and the jeweler to buy jewels.

“He who takes advice about his savings from one who is inexperienced in such matters shall pay with his savings for proving the falsity of their opinions.” – Page 20.

Do not start difficult and impractical tasks. Force yourself to complete all tasks you begin. With this in mind, take great care in what tasks you begin, being sure to not overburden yourself.

“That what each of us calls our necessary expenses will always grow to equal our income unless we protest to the contrary.” – Page 38.

“I tell you, my students, a man’s wealth is not in the coins he carries in his purse. It is the income he buildeth, the golden stream that continually floweth into his purse and keepeth it always bulging.” – Page 42.

“Study carefully, before parting with thy treasure, each assurance that it may be safely reclaimed. Be not misled by thine own romantic desires to make wealth rapidly.” – Page 45.

“To attract good luck to oneself, it is necessary to take advantage of opportunities.” – Page 76.

Five Laws of Gold from page 87 summarized:

1. Money gladly comes to any man who puts aside at least 1/10th of his earnings to secure his future.
2. Money works diligently for the wise owner who finds for it profitable employment.
3. Money clings to the owner who is cautious with its possession.
4. Money slips away from those who spend it unwisely, in fields they are inexperienced without seeking the advice of experts.
5. Money runs from the man who forces it into impossible earnings, making wild investments.

You can pretend to work hard, but eventually the results reveal the truth. Some men hate work; make it your friend and work will
work for you.