Rich Dad Poor Dad vs The Richest Man in Babylon: Which Should You Read First?

Two of the most popular financial literacy books ever written. Both teach you how to build wealth. But they take very different approaches. If you can only read one first, here’s how to decide.

The basics

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki (1997) is a modern classic that contrasts two fathers’ approaches to money. It focuses on financial education, assets vs liabilities, and the importance of making money work for you.

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason (1926) uses parables set in ancient Babylon to teach timeless financial principles. It focuses on saving, investing, and avoiding debt through simple, memorable stories.

Writing style

Rich Dad Poor Dad reads like a memoir with lessons. It’s conversational, sometimes repetitive, but the stories make the concepts stick. Richest Man in Babylon reads like a collection of fables — shorter, more structured, and easier to finish in one sitting.

Key lessons compared

Both books teach the same core truth: pay yourself first and make your money work for you. But Kiyosaki goes deeper into real estate and business ownership as vehicles for wealth, while Clason focuses more on the fundamentals of saving and investing wisely.

Which first?

If you’re just starting your financial education, read The Richest Man in Babylon first. Its simple parables will give you the foundation. Then read Rich Dad Poor Dad to expand your thinking about assets, business, and financial independence.

If you’re already saving and want to think bigger about wealth building, start with Rich Dad Poor Dad.

Both are available in our store. Get them delivered to your door.