The glory of Babylon endures. Down through the ages, its reputation comes to us as the

richest of cities, its treasures as fabulous. Yet it was not always so. The riches of Babylon

were the results of the wisdom of its people. They first had to learn how to become wealthy.

When the good king, Sargon, returned to Babylon after defeating his enemies, the Elimites,

he was confronted with a serious situation. The royal chancellor explained it to the king

thus. After many years of great prosperity brought to our people because your majesty

built the great irrigation canals and the mighty temples of the gods, now that these works

are completed, the people seem unable to support themselves. The laborers are without employment.

The merchants have few customers. The farmers are unable to sell their produce. The people

have not enough gold to buy food. But where has all the gold gone that we spent for these

great improvements, demanded the king? It has found its way, I fear, responded the chancellor,

into the possession of a few very rich men of our city. It filtered through the fingers

of most of our people as quickly as the goat's milk goes through the strainer. Now that

the stream of gold has ceased to flow, most of our people have nothing to show for their

earnings. The king was thoughtful for some time. Then he asked, why should so few men be

able to acquire all the gold? Because they know how, replied the chancellor. One may not condemn

a man for succeeding because he knows how. Neither may one with justice take away from a man

what he has fairly earned to give to men of less ability. But why, demanded the king, should not

all the people learn how to accumulate gold and therefore become themselves rich and prosperous?

Quite possible, your excellency. But who can teach them? Certainly not the priests,

because they know not of money making. Who knows best in all our city how to become wealthy

chancellor? Asked the king. That question answers itself your majesty. Who has amassed the greatest

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