“Mendicants, when families don’t stay wealthy for long, it’s always for one or more of these four reasons. What four? They don’t look for what’s lost; they don’t repair old things; they eat and drink too much; or they put an unethical woman or man in charge. When families don’t stay wealthy for long, it’s always for one or more of these four reasons.

When families do stay wealthy for long, it’s always for one or more of these four reasons. What four? They look for what’s lost; they repair old things; they eat and drink in moderation; and they put an ethical woman or man in charge. When families do stay wealthy for long, it’s always for one or more of these four reasons.”

Numbered Discourses 4.259 26. Insight A Thoroughbred (1st)

“Mendicants, a fine royal thoroughbred with four factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and reckoned a factor of kingship. What four? It’s when a fine royal thoroughbred is beautiful, strong, fast, and well-proportioned. A fine royal thoroughbred with these four factors is worthy of a king. …

In the same way, a mendicant with four qualities is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of veneration with cupped palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world. What four? It’s when a mendicant is beautiful, strong, fast, and well proportioned.