Arkad, the childhood friend of Bansir and Kobbi, who was now known as the “richest man in Babylon”, (so rich that the king would ask for his financial advice!), gave the group of men these words:
“If you have not acquired more than a bare existence in the years since we were youths, it is because you either have failed to learn the laws that govern the building of wealth, or else you do not observe them.”
He then goes on to describe his story, that of a young scribe recording on clay tablets, and how he started making his fortune. He made a bargain with a client that he would finish the task by morning if Algamish, the rich older man, would share his secrets for becoming rich. Over the next several years, the young man tried to live according to the advice given by the older man. He made a few errors, had a few setbacks, but eventually learned how to turn coins into slaves that made him more and more coin children and grandchildren. Seeing Arkad’s success, Algamish gave him a job managing his fortune, and when he passed on, left him a large inheritance.
