"The man who seeks to learn more of his craft shall be richly rewarded."
We have covered 6 Cures so far. We learned to save, budget, invest, protect, and own a home. But all these cures depend on one thing: Your Income.
You cannot save 10% of zero. You cannot invest if you barely earn enough to eat.
One day, a young man came to Arkad crying about his low wages. Arkad told him: "You do not need more gold. You need more skill." This introduces the Seventh Cure: Increase Thy Ability to Earn.
1. Why Most People Stay Poor
In Corporate India, most employees wait for the annual appraisal to get a 3% to 5% salary hike. They complain about their boss, the economy, and the government.
Arkad says: "The man who seeks to learn more of his craft shall be richly rewarded."
If you are earning ₹3 Lakhs a year, and you want to earn ₹30 Lakhs, you don't need to work 10 times harder (that's impossible). You need to become 10 times more valuable. The market pays for Value, not for hard work.
2. Your Greatest Asset is YOU
Warren Buffett famously says: "The best investment you can make is in yourself. The more you learn, the more you earn."
Think about it. If you spend ₹1 Lakh on a trip to Dubai, the money is gone. If you spend ₹1 Lakh on a Data Science or Digital Marketing course, that skill can pay you ₹1 Lakh every month for the rest of your life.
The ROI of Education:
• Stock Market returns: 12-15%
• Real Estate returns: 8-10%
• Upskilling returns: 1000%+ (Infinite)
3. Adapt or Die
In 2026, AI is replacing routine jobs. The "Ability to Earn" now depends on your ability to learn new things quickly.
- If you are an accountant, learn AI Tools.
- If you are a marketer, learn Performance Marketing.
- If you are a student, don't just get a degree. Get a High-Income Skill.
Arkad advises: "Cultivate thy own powers, to study and become wiser, to become more skillful."
4. Stop Wishing, Start Earning
Don't say "I want to be rich." That is a vague wish. Arkad says, start with a small, concrete desire.
Say: "I want to earn an extra ₹5,000 this month."
Once you figure out how to earn that extra ₹5,000 (freelancing, side hustle), you can scale it to ₹10,000, then ₹50,000. Wealth is a skill that you practice.
Key Takeaways
- Pay Your Debts: A man with debts loses respect for himself. Clear them to clear your mind.
- Respect Yourself: Do not accept mediocrity. Constantly strive to be the best in your field.
- Helping Others: As you earn more, help those who are struck by misfortune. It creates good karma and networking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is an MBA worth it in 2026?
A: Only if done from a top tier college. Otherwise, specific skills (like Coding, Design, Sales) often pay better than a generic MBA.
Q2: How can I increase my salary without changing jobs?
A: Ask for more responsibility. Solve bigger problems for your boss. If you bring more revenue, you can demand a higher share.
Q3: What are the best High-Income Skills?
A: Copywriting, Coding (Python/AI), Video Editing, and Digital Sales are currently in high demand.
Up next: The 5 Laws of Gold (Why money comes to some and runs from others).
📚 Credit & Disclaimer:
This post is a summary based on the classic bestseller "The Richest Man in Babylon" by George S. Clason.
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