The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

To bring your dreams and desires to fulfillment, you must be successful with money. This book shows you how to amass personal wealth by sharing the secrets of the ancient Babylonians, who were the first to discover the universal laws of prosperity.

Hailed as the greatest of all inspirational works on the subject of thrift, financial planning, and personal wealth, The Richest Man in Babylon is a timeless classic that holds the key to all you desire and everything you wish to accomplish. Through entertaining stories about the herdsmen, merchants, and tradesmen of ancient Babylon, George S. Clason provides concrete advice for creating, growing, and preserving wealth. Beloved by millions, this celebrated bestseller offers an understanding of, and a solution to, your personal financial problems. This is the book that holds the secrets to keeping your money and making more.

Financial principles covered in this book include:

1. Pay yourself first.
2. Don't trust a bricklayer to buy jewels. (Don't get caught up in other people's excitement. Go seek the experts instead.)
3. Don't put all your eggs in a single basket. (Diversify your portfolio.)
4. Control thy expenses. (Even the richest man has a time constraint on his life. Do what you enjoy, but don't overdo it.)
5. Increase your ability to earn.

Keeping these core principles in mind will help you through economic hard times and put you on the road to riches.