In order to become prosperous, a person must initially work very

The Dalai Lama, a spiritual teacher whose words often bridge the sacred and the practical, once said: “In order to become prosperous, a person must initially work very hard, so he or she has to sacrifice a lot of leisure time.” Though spoken in the gentlest of tones, this teaching bears the force of an eternal truth: that the path to abundance, whether of wealth, wisdom, or virtue, is paved not with ease but with effort, not with idleness but with sacrifice. For nothing of value is attained without giving something of oneself.

The meaning of this saying rests upon the law of exchange. Prosperity, in whatever form it is sought, requires the offering of time, energy, and discipline. Leisure, though sweet, can be a thief if indulged too early. To rest before labor is complete is to build a palace upon sand. Thus, the Dalai Lama reminds us that one must first toil, endure long hours, and often walk through loneliness before the fruit of prosperity can be harvested. Leisure comes not as the seed, but as the reward of faithful sowing.

History is rich with those who embodied this wisdom. Consider the life of Thomas Edison, who labored through sleepless nights, sacrificing rest and comfort in pursuit of invention. His laboratory became his home, his leisure hours consumed by the relentless fire of experimentation. Out of this sacrifice came the electric light, a gift to the world and a legacy of prosperity that illuminated generations. Had he sought pleasure over persistence, the world might have waited far longer for its light.

Or reflect upon the story of Mahatma Gandhi. His prosperity was not measured in gold but in the liberation of his people. Yet his path demanded great sacrifice—the comforts of wealth, the pleasures of leisure, the safety of a quiet life. He chose instead the hardship of marches, prisons, and hunger strikes. Through such sacrifice, he sowed freedom, proving that prosperity of spirit and nation alike is born from toil and endurance.

The lesson for us is clear: if you seek prosperity—whether in career, craft, knowledge, or inner growth—do not expect it to arrive while you recline in comfort. Prepare to labor, to give up ease, to endure the burden of the early struggle. This is not to say that leisure is evil; rather, its season must be earned. True leisure, enjoyed after toil, carries a sweetness unknown to idle play. But leisure stolen before its time breeds only regret.

In practice, this means setting aside distractions when the work is before you. It means rising early, persisting late, and keeping your vision clear even when the body grows weary. It means choosing discipline over comfort, growth over entertainment, and duty over indulgence. For each hour of sacrifice is not lost—it is an offering placed in the soil, from which prosperity will bloom in due time.

Therefore, children of tomorrow, remember the Dalai Lama’s wisdom: prosperity demands sacrifice. Do not fear the loss of leisure, for what you surrender now will return multiplied when the harvest is full. Work with patience, sacrifice with courage, and endure with hope. In this way, you will not only find prosperity, but also the dignity of one who has earned it, and the peace of one who knows that nothing great was wasted in the pursuit of a worthy goal.