Philosophical Musing

Success is a crapshoot. So, if you have fortune, accept it, know it isn’t guaranteed, even by hard work or effort. You could be a Grandmaster, and live in penury, and be an amateur and a rich man.

So, if you have food, if you have shelter, and you have good friends, this is what life consists of. Don’t go looking for fortune, for as many as find fortune, there are one hundred men who cannot. Though seeking it day and night, they will never attain, and it would be better for them to work their measly day’s bread, than seek it.

If we desire fortunes beyond our scope, or to get rich, it can happen, but only with much effort, and tireless work. From morning until evening, work, and when the sun goes down, eat your heavenly bread, given to you by God. Yet, even then, there are men who work to the bone, and cannot attain riches enough for a square meal.

Therefore, understand this fact. Do not shirk work, or try to get rich through small efforts. The effort must be great, and the expectation small. For, a good meal, with spices, a loyal wife and your children of youth, and drink in your cup whenever you desire it… sweet drinks whenever you wish, and the cane sugar and the salt, and the spices, and daily meat… with wisdom and with charity... there is no better life than this. Do not seek beyond it.

Therefore, gather what you have before building the house, and do not enjoy the fruits of labor, until the task is done. And if your labor is wisdom and knowledge! Oh, what vexation! For the peoples do not love it, therefore you may be poor, or you may be rich. Keep to the task and know there is an end to all wisdom. When you have found it, you ought to look at the day laborer, and see there is a rich inheritance given by fathers, to work and have strong body, and be fed by the produce of the ground.