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The Richest Man In Babylon - Chapter 1





The Richest Man In Babylon

By

George S Clason


Chapter 1

The Man Who Desired Gold

Bansir, the chariot builder of Babylon, was thoroughly discouraged. From his seat upon the low wall surrounding his property, he gazed sadly at his simple home and the open workshop in which stood a partially completed chariot.

His wife frequently appeared at the open door. Her furtive glances in his direction reminded him that the meal bag was almost empty and he should be at work finishing the chariot, hammering and hewing, polishing and painting, stretching taut the leather over the wheel rims, preparing it for delivery so he could collect from his wealthy customer.

Nevertheless,' his fat, muscular body sat stolidly upon the wall. His slow mind was struggling patiently with a problem for which he could find no answer. The hot, tropical sun, so typical of this valley of the Euphrates, beat down upon him mercilessly.

Beads of perspiration formed upon his brow and trickled down unnoticed to lose themselves in the hairy jungle on his chest.
Beyond his home towered the high terraced walls surrounding the king's palace. Nearby, cleaving the blue heavens, was the painted tower of the Temple of Bel. In the shadow of such grandeur was his simple home and many others far less neat and well cared for. Babylon was like this—a mixture of grandeur and squalor, of dazzling wealth and direst poverty,
crowded together without plan or system within the protecting walls of the city.

Behind him, had he cared to turn and look, the
noisy chariots of the rich jostled and crowded aside the sandaled tradesmen as well as the barefooted beggars. Even the rich were forced to turn into the gutters to clear the way for the long lines of slave water carriers, on the "king's business," each bearing a heavy goatskin of water to be poured upon the hanging gardens.

Bansir was too engrossed in his own problem to
hear or heed the confused hubbub of the busy city.
It was the unexpected twanging of the strings from a familiar lyre that aroused him from his reverie. He turned and looked into the sensitive, smiling face of his best friend—Kobbi, the musician.
"May the Gods bless thee with great liberality, my good friend," began Kobbi with an elabourate salute.
"Yet, it does appear they have already been so generous thou needest not to labour. I rejoice with thee in thy good fortune. More, I would even share it with thee. Pray, from thy purse which must be bulging else thou wouldst be busy in yon shop, extract but two humble shekels and lend them to me until after
the noblemen's feast this night. Thou wilt not miss them ere they are returned."
"If I did have two shekels," Bansir responded
gloomily, "to no one could I lend them—not even to you, my best of friends; for they would be my fortune— my entire fortune. No one lends his entire fortune, not even to his best friend."
"What," exclaimed Kobbi with genuine surprise.
"Thou hast not one shekel in thy purse, yet sit like a statue upon a wall! Why not complete that chariot?
How else canst thou provide for thy noble appetite?
'Tis not like thee, my friend. Where is thy endless energy? Doth something distress thee? Have the gods brought to thee troubles?"
"A torment from the gods it must be," Bansir
agreed. "It began with a dream, a senseless dream, in which I thought I was a man of means. From my belt hung a handsome purse, heavy with coins. There were shekels which I cast with careless freedom to the beggars; there were pieces of silver with which I
did buy finery for my wife and whatever I did desire for myself; there were pieces of gold which made me feel assured of the future and unafraid to spend the silver. A glorious feeling of contentment was within me! You would not have known me for thy hardworking friend. Nor wouldst have known my wife, so free from wrinkles was her face and shining with
happiness. She was again the smiling maiden of our early married days."
"A pleasant dream, indeed," commented Kobbi,
"but why should such pleasant feelings as it aroused turn thee into a glum statue upon the wall?"
"Why, indeed! Because when I awoke and remembered how empty was my purse, a feeling of rebellion swept over me. Let us talk it over together, for, as the sailors do say, we ride in the same boat, we two. As youngsters, we went together to the priests to learn wisdom. As young men, we shared each other's pleasures.

As grown men, we have always been close friends. We have been contented subjects of our kind. We have been satisfied to work long hours and spend our earnings freely. We have earned much coin in the years that have passed, yet to know the joys that come from wealth, we must dream about them. Bah! Are we more than dumb sheep? We live in the richest city in all the world. The travelers do
say none equals it in wealth. About us is much display of wealth, but of it we ourselves have naught.
After half a lifetime of hard labour, thou, my best of friends, hast an empty purse and sayest to me, 'May I borrow such a trifle as two shekels until after the noblemen's feast this night?' Then, what do I reply?
Do I say, 'Here is my purse; its contents will I gladly share?' No, I admit that my purse is as empty as thine. What is the matter? Why cannot we acquire silver and gold—more than enough for food and robes?
"Consider, also, our sons," Bansir continued, "are they not following in the footsteps of their fathers?
Need they and their families and their sons and their sons' families live all their lives in the midst of such treasurers of gold, and yet, like us, be content to banquet upon sour goat's milk and porridge?"
"Never, in all the years of our friendship, didst
thou talk like this before, Bansir." Kobbi was
puzzled.
"Never in all those years did I think like this before.
From early dawn until darkness stopped me, I
have laboured to build the finest chariots any man could make, soft-heartedly hoping some day the gods would recognize my worthy deeds and bestow upon me great prosperity. This they have never done.
At last, I realize this they will never do. Therefore, my heart is sad. I wish to be a man of means. I wish to own lands and cattle, to have fine robes and coins in my purse. I am willing to work for these things with all the strength in my back, with all the skill in my hands, with all the cunning in my mind, but I
wish my labours to be fairly rewarded.

What is the matter with us? Again I ask you! Why cannot we have our just share of the good things so plentiful for those who have the gold with which to buy them?"
"Would I know an answer!" Kobbi replied. "No
better than thou am I satisfied. My earnings from my lyre are quickly gone. Often must I plan and scheme that my family be not hungry. Also, within my breast is a deep longing for a lyre large enough that it may truly sing the strains of music that do surge through my mind. With such an instrument could I make
music finer than even the king has heard before?"
"Such a lyre thou shouldst have. No man in all
Babylon could make it sing more sweetly; could
make it sing so sweetly, not only the king but the gods themselves would be delighted. But how mayest thou secure it while we both of us are as poor as the king's slaves? Listen to the bell! Here they come."
He pointed to the long column of half-naked, sweating water bearers plodding labouriously up the narrow street from the river. Five abreast they marched, each bent under a heavy goatskin of water.
"A fine figure of a man, he who doth lead them."
Kobbi indicated the wearer of the bell who marched in front without a load. "A prominent man in his own country, 'tis easy to see:"
"There are many good figures in the line," Bansir agreed, "as good men as we. Tall, blond men from the north, laughing black men from the south, little brown men from the nearer countries. All marching together from the river to the gardens, back and forth, day after day, year after year. Naught of happiness to look forward to. Beds of straw upon which
to sleep—hard grain porridge to eat. Pity the poor brutes, Kobbi!"
"Pity them I do. Yet, thou dost make me see how little better off are we, free men though we call ourselves."
"That is truth, Kobbi, unpleasant thought though it be. We do not wish to go on year after year living slavish lives. Working, working, working! Getting nowhere."
"Might we not find out how others acquire gold
and do as they do?" Kobbi inquired.
"Perhaps there is some secret we might learn if we but sought from those who knew," replied Bansir thoughtfully.
"This very day," suggested Kobbi, "I did pass our old friend, Arkad, riding in his golden chariot. This I will say, he did not look over my humble head as many in his station might consider his right. Instead, he did wave his hand that all onlookers might see him pay greetings and bestow his smile of friendship upon Kobbi, the musician."
"He is claimed to be the richest man in all Babylon,"
Bansir mused.
"So rich the king is said to seek his golden aid in
affairs of the treasury," Kobbi replied.
"So rich," Bansir interrupted, "I fear if I should
meet him in the darkness of the night, I should lay my hands upon his fat wallet."
"Nonsense," reproved Kobbi, "a man's wealth is
not in the purse he carries. A fat purse quickly empties if there be no golden stream to refill it. Arkad has an income that constantly keeps his purse full, no matter how liberally he spends."
"Income, that is the thing," ejaculated Bansir. "I
wish an income that will keep flowing into my purse whether I sit upon the wall or travel to far lands.
Arkad must know how a man can make an income for himself. Dost suppose it is something he could make clear to a mind as slow as mine?"
"Methinks he did teach his knowledge to his son,
Nomasir," Kobbi responded. "Did he not go to Nineveh and, so it is told at the inn, become, without aid from his father, one of the richest men in that city?"
"Kobbi, thou bringest to me a rare thought." A
new light gleamed in Bansir's eyes. "It costs nothing to ask wise advice from a good friend and Arkad was always that. Never mind though our purses be as empty as the falcon's nest of a year ago. Let that not detain us. We are weary of being without gold in the midst of plenty. We wish to become men of means. Come, let us go to Arkad and ask how we, also, may acquire incomes for ourselves."
"Thou speakest with true inspiration, Bansir. Thou bringeth to my mind a new understanding. Thou makest me to realize the reason why we have never found any measure of wealth. We never sought it.
Thou hast laboured patiently to build the staunchest chariots in Babylon. To that purpose was devoted your best endeavours. Therefore, at it thou didst succeed.
I strove to become a skilful lyre player. And,
at it I did succeed.
"In those things toward which we exerted our best endeavours we succeeded. The gods were content to let us continue thus. Now, at last, we see a light, bright like that from the rising sun. It biddeth us to learn more that we may prosper more. With a new understanding we shall find honourable ways to accomplish
our desires."
"Let us go to Arkad this very day," Bansir urged.
"Also, let us ask other friends of our boyhood days,
. who have fared no better than ourselves, to join us that they, too, may share in his wisdom."
"Thou wert ever thus thoughtful of thy friends,
Bansir. Therefore hast thou many friends. It shall be as thou sayest. We go this day and take them with us."

Comments

  1. Lord make an arkad to be a blessing to my generation. Amen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bansir and Kobbi are two very interesting characters who lived lived a long time in their 'comfort zones'. They work and earn the much that could barely take care of their immediate needs.

      They lived in the midst of extreme wealth and squalor whereas they were 'average'.

      They came to the realization of the need to earn more money beyond their daily living. They brainstorm together, noted their weaknesses and the strength of some of their friends. They took a very bold decision of seeking advise from their friend who is clearly doing much better and living in opulence.

      Delete
    2. Above is from Franklin Anor

      Delete
    3. Frank
      Well done
      But you need to trim your submission to fit into the bill of Executive Summary

      Delete
  2. Quite an interesting read. It’s not just enough to work hard 😓 but in all things let wisdom supersedes. Always be willing and eager to learn from men who are better than you are. The wealth of a man is not measured by how large the content of his purse rather how unending the stream from which it flows.

    ReplyDelete
  3. But until one becomes uncomfortable 😣 with ones state, there will be no change in ones life. May our current state never deter us from seeking knowledge that will place us among men of means.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Zubby
      Well done
      I was expecting 3 short sentences
      Kindly re-summarized and cut off all the fluff

      Delete
  4. Lord make me an arkad to be a blessing to my generation.
    I am very angry with poverty
    I am grateful for the gift of mentors

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My name still remains uzoma chidi okereke

      Delete
    2. In the same society with the conditions and opportunities for all, while some will rise to live in affluence and abundance some will descend to live in wants and abject poverty/penury.

      Making wealth is not necessarily/absolutely dependent on working hard, rather on knowledge that will move one from pay cheque to cheque; to earning consistent passive income.

      Yinka Okoh

      Delete
    3. Great work Yinka
      However split the words into 3 sentences

      Delete
    4. June 30, 2020 at 10:46 PM
      In the same society with the conditions and opportunities for all, while some will rise to live in affluence and abundance some will descend to live in wants and abject poverty/penury.

      Making wealth is not necessarily/absolutely dependent on working hard, rather on knowledge that will move one from pay cheque to cheque; to earning consistent passive income.

      Multiple streams of passive income is inevitable for financial freedom and wealth accumulation.

      Yinka Okoh

      Delete
  5. A society where there's a mix if the rich and poor living closely with each other but differing in the availability of means, albeit this availability is not dependent on his extremely hard working one seems.

    One's estate begins to change when there's a genuine desperation for a change, a genuine desire to better one's lot and with this comes a quest for knowledge, to be acquired from them that have gotten the means and are still getting it, whose wealth are not dependent on the size of their purse but on the number and size of streams from which flows continually the wealth.

    Such an enlightening read.

    Dr. Nkire Chisom Joel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doc
      Great work
      edit out the fluff from your work and then repurpose it into 3 sentences

      Delete
  6. Very interesting with wonderful diction.

    Kobbi arouse the subconsciousness of Bansir to wealth.

    Bansir, there in understood that his status wasn't a comfortable one.

    The quest for wealth began but the means wasn't available.

    Arkad has the means and must be consulted.

    They all realized that wealth is lavishing in the city of Babylon where they inhabit but can't access it.

    My lessons are to realize our said comfortable state that it is not a destination as was the acase of Bansir and crave for a greater height via the kobbi quest.

    I am Ihejirika Benedict.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hardwork does not always guarantee success/wealth... But the secrets to success could be learnt

    ReplyDelete
  8. Inya Inya Uma
    It is good to have a friend that thinks in a progressive pathways. Your desire for success is not enough until it is accompanied with action. Always seek to know.

    ReplyDelete
  9. In every society no matter how bouyant, there will always be a division of class determined by finance.
    Our skills and talents either God given or learnt overtime may not necessarily create wealth and success.
    Success can surround poverty but if the poor never ask for the secret or wisdom behind it; success will continue to elude them.

    ReplyDelete
  10. The turning point for any man begins the day he has a dream that makes him dissatisfied with his present, propels him to aim higher, and pushes him to ask the right questions from the right people.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I found this chapter very interesting. Success is not defined my hard work but also by wisdom. A man must work hard with wisdom to define true success.

    And another thing I understood here was that learning never ends. I understand that Bansir and Kobbi should be somewhat old considering the fact that they already have families and a number of kids but they were still eager to learn from Arkad on how to earn more money.

    Nduanya Oluebube

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hardwork is not enough, you need financial knowledge or literacy that can be learned from those who are already wealthy. Most of the time the solution to our problems is not far from us.
    Damaris Osunkwo

    ReplyDelete
  13. Until you become uncomfortable with your present state, re-assess yourself and see the need for a change, you will forever remain where you are!

    ReplyDelete
  14. A fat purse quickly empties if there is no stream stream of gold to fill it. We need steady, consistent and regular sources of income.. Passive income should be the target and not active(overworking )..

    ReplyDelete
  15. Dr Muhammad, Sagir.
    Bansir and Kobby are two friends that have worn out and still poor. They still need to work to survive. Arkad is wealthy and his money appears to work for him.

    ReplyDelete
  16. DR.EKWEDIKE DENNIS : Such an inspiring chapter.Hardwork nar diligence do not guarantee riches or even wealth. Wealth locates a man who is provoked !

    ReplyDelete
  17. The richest man in Babylon

    *Chapter 1*
    The reason we have never found any measure of wealth is because We never sought for it

    Give your best toward your endeavours and you will we succeeded

    Resent your current state and strife to get to the top

    *Jombo Promise*

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is so interesting. I learned that hard work does not necessarily produce riches. To be rich one must learn the secret from those who have riches.
    Dr. Adeola Olabamiji

    ReplyDelete
  19. It's one thing to desire wealth it's another to walk the talk....

    They realized hardwork alone can't bring them riches as desired. So they both saw the need to inquire how to make a stable income that regardless of their situations the sources will never go dry...... The "how" is a very important factor and step towards their desired state.

    ReplyDelete
  20. In every society of affluence there are the well to do and the very poor, but untill the poor have what I call inspirational dissatisfaction ( that is their harrowing situation which they are dissatisfied about inspires them to take action to change their situation) like bansir , their situation will never change.

    There is a secret to wealth creation until you know the secret one might not be able to access or accumulate wealth.

    Until one seek or askfask advice about wealth or anything, one will never find it, and it does cost anything to ask, just ask. and the reason most people have never had wealth is because they have not genuinely sought for it.

    In all there is a need for speed of action by quickly acting on what inspiration one has .

    Dr Andrew Alonge

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great work
      But you can make it shorter by removing the fluff

      Delete
  21. There lessons I learnt from today's reading:
    1.No one lends his entire fortune,not even to his friend.

    2.A man's wealth is not I. The urse he carries.

    3.We must be weary of being without hold in the midst of plenty

    ReplyDelete
  22. Working hard is not enough to create wealth, sometimes we need to review our plans amd ask questions.... Don't let pride hold you back.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hardwork does not always guarantee success/wealth...

    The secrets to success could be learnt.

    Make friends especially with the wealthy and wise, so you can tap into their wisdom.


    Aliyu Chapa

    ReplyDelete
  24. My thoughts from dr uzoma
    To become a man of means,to own lands and cattle,to have robes and coins in my purse,i will find out how others acquire gold and do as they do.for a man's wealth is not in the purse he carries

    ReplyDelete
  25. Kobbi and Bansir got tired/angry with their ugly situation of fruitless hardworking with lean purse.
    They decided to change their lives for better by going to meet their old friend Arkad who was wealthy to enquire from him. Get angry with your ugly situation, decide to change it and go for apprenticeship from the master in that field of endeavour.

    ReplyDelete
  26. 1. A man's wealth is
    not in the purse he carries. A fat purse quickly empties if there be no other means to refill....
    2. It costs nothing to ask wise advice from people we have acquired wealth..
    3. There is a secret to all source of income, endeavour to find out...

    Chukwuebuka Asadu

    ReplyDelete
  27. Bansir, an average man working as a chariot maker in the city of Babylon with his also average friend Kobbi.

    Together they realise that it is not good to be living in a wealthy city and being an average man.

    They reach a decision to get advise from their friend
    Arkar who is rich, with living in a wealthy city as a motivation

    ReplyDelete
  28. Dr Edwina Oche.
    Kobbi Bansir and other folks finally visited Arkad who was a renowned wealthy man to learn the secrets of wealth acquisition which would liberate them from their miserable life of poverty. They learnt that the biggest and all time wisdom to financial freedom was to learn the habit of saving a portion of their income not less than a tenth of the total,investing the savings through the mentorship of a successful individual in that field and allowing the yields to further be reinvested to bring about a connected economy.
    This wisdom was stepped down to Arkad by an aged ,well experienced rich man who rather than give him fish to eat, thought him how to fish for greater economic yields.

    ReplyDelete
  29. It is good to have motivation from things around us

    ReplyDelete
  30. 1. Hardwork is not the surest way to success, but the right knowledge is.

    2. A man is not measured by the size of his purse, but by the value he brings to the table. (If you offer value to a billion people, you'll receive a billion reward. Take away all of Jeff Bezos' money, his knowledge will still bring him back to the top).

    3. Your close cycle can influence your life.

    ReplyDelete
  31. One has to be enraged with his current situation, and have willingness to do whatever it takes to get out of the situation, to make progress in life.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Onyeka wisdom
    Whatsoever is worth doing is worth doing well, if you must succeed, you must get involve in the business, less trust and proactive supervision.

    ReplyDelete

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