Goddess of Wealth and Goddess of Poverty

Once a beautiful and well-dressed woman visited a house. The master of the house asked her who she was; and she replied that she was the goddess of wealth. The master of the house was delighted and so greeted her with open arms. Soon after another woman appeared who was ugly looking and poorly dressed. The master asked who she was and the woman replied that she was the goddess of poverty. The master was frightened and tried to drive her out of the house, but the woman refused to depart, saying, ‘The goddess of wealth is my sister. There is an agreement between us that we are never to live apart; if you chase me out, she is to go with me.’ Sure enough, as soon as the ugly woman went out, the other woman disppeared.

Birth goes with death. Fortune goes with misfortune. Bad things follow good things. Everyone should realize this. Foolish people dread misfortune and strive after good fortune, but those who seek Enlightenment must transcend both of them and be free of worldly attachment.

– From Thus Have I Heard, translated by Maurice Walshe, edited by Minh Thanh and P.D. Leigh.

Image above:
Fleuron from book:
The fortunes and misfortunes of Moll Flanders, Who was born in Newgate, And during a Life of continued Variety for sixty Years, was 17 Times a Whore, 5 Times a Wife, once to her own Brother, 12 Years a Thief, 11 Times in Bridewell, 9 Times in New Prison, 11 Times in Wood-Street Compter, 6 Times in the Poultry Compter, 14 Times in the Gate-House, 25 Times in Newgate, 15 Times whipt at the Cart’s Arse, 4 Times burnt in the Hand, once condemned for Life, and … Years a Transport in Virginia. At last … rich, lived honest and died a penitent.