Possessing belongs only to the industrious. Do those
who lack such energy really possess their possessions?

Those who own a mental energy possess a thing of worth.
Material wealth is an unenduring possession that goes away.

Those who possess persevering industry
will never say in despair, "We have lost our wealth."

Good fortune of its own accord ferrets out and
finds the man of unflagging energy.

The length of the lotus stalk depends on the water's depth.
Even so, a man's greatness is proportionate to his mind's energy.

Let all thoughts be thoughts of noble progress,
for then even failing cannot be called a failure.

Elephants stand firm even when wounded by a barrage of arrows.
Strong-willed men are not discouraged when they meet disaster.

Without a zealous spirit, one will never enjoy
the proud exhilaration of the world's generosity.

The towering elephant, with his tapering tusks,
still shrinks in fear when a fierce tiger attacks.

An industrious mind is a man's real wealth.
Lacking it, he is immobile--more tree-like than human.