A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

16: Effort
Jā 284 Sirijātakaṁ
Fortune sides with the Meritorious
A wood-collector has the chance of good luck, but
looses it to an elephant-trainer, who by evening is
raised to King of the country.
313. Yaṁ ussukā saṅgharanti alakkhikā bahuṁ dhanaṁ,
Sippavanto asippā ca, lakkhī va tāni bhuñjare.
Whatever effort the unlucky
Make in accumulating wealth,
Endowed with a craft or without,
The fortunate ones will enjoy.
314. Sabbattha katapuññassa, aticcaññeva pāṇino,
Uppajjanti bahū bhogā, appanāyatanesu pi.
For the one who has great merit,
Overcomes all other people,
And great riches arise, even
When making but little effort.
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