History is full of numerous cases in which good persons…
““History is full of numerous cases in which good persons were so unfortunate as to die a miserable death or to live in extreme poverty, side by side with those cases in which bad people lived in health and prosperity, enjoying a long life. Having these cases in view, some are of the opinion that there is no law of retribution as believed by the Buddhists. And even among the Buddhist scholars themselves there are some who think of the law of retribution as an ideal, and not as a law governing life. This is probably due to their misunderstanding of the historical facts. There is no reason because he is good and honourable that he should be wealthy or healthy; nor is there any reason because he is bad that he should be poor or sickly.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote argues that moral virtue does not guarantee wealth or health, and vice versa, challenging the belief in a direct karmic retribution.
In simple terms: Goodness doesn’t ensure prosperity; badness doesn’t ensure suffering.
Key Takeaway
Don’t assume moral standing predicts life outcomes.
Themes
justice
karma
misconception
inequality
Mood
contemplative
skeptical
Type
philosophical
critical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal finance decisions
- career planning
- health choices
- social policy debates
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
karma
ethical relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you judge others based on their success?
- How does this view affect your sense of fairness?
A Different Perspective
Karma is a complex concept, not a simple cause‑effect rule.