The Retelling of The Richest Man in Babylon (Introduction)

“Pay yourself first!” That is the favorite mantra of personal finance books. I read this a long time ago, but there was no attribution to the original author of these great words.

I googled “Who first said ‘Pay yourself first?’” Then I found out that it was written by George Samuel Clason all way back in 1926. I was able to download (legitimately so because it is already out in the public domain) the book and read this gold mine of personal finance wisdom. The book is entitled The Richest Man in Babylon.

While reading it, I couldn’t help but imagine retelling the story in easy to understand language that could be shared between a parent and child. The book is a compilation of parables with Babylon as the setting thousands of years ago.

I picked the “carrier parable” and simplified the teachings in three basic laws.

It took me a while to complete this short book. Maybe just like a good stew, it had to simmer for a long time.

NARRATION VIDEOS

I approached key people in the Finance industry to help create excitement in the book. There are nine chapters in the book and an Introduction.

I am honored and extremely grateful to these people who generously agreed to read the book.

Today I share with you the Introduction of The Retelling of The Richest Man in Babylon.

Did I tell you I asked key Finance people to read the book? For the opening salvo, I don’t know if we could get any “key-er” than this. Friends, I present Cesar V. Purisima, Secretary of the Department of Finance.

In the next few days, I will share the interview with Secretary Purisima.