The Richest Man in Babylon

Clason claims people have a universal desire to experience good luck, and raises the question of if, and how, a person can attract luck. When men in ancient Babylon had questions, they went to the Temple of Learning, where teachers volunteered their knowledge for anyone who wanted to learn. Clason claims that this informal school was open to men of all classes who could question and debate what they learned. Arkad is one of these teachers.

A student asks Arkad how he can become lucky. The men discuss their poor luck at gaming tables where they pray to the Goddess but rarely win. Arkad shares that the Goddess does not pay attention to trivial matters like gaming, but instead wants “to aid those who are in need and reward those who are deserving” (39). As such, Arkad says that the men will find the goddess in “places where the doings of men are more worthwhile and more worthy of reward” (39).

Arkad explains that people are more likely to be “lucky” and make a profit from their honest work, rather than at the gaming tables where “the chances of profit are always against him” (39).