Prosperity is attained neither by one who has reached the loftiest achievements nor by one who has none at all. She does not desire the union of every virtue, nor is she content with their complete absence. Blind, like a maddened cow, prosperity belongs to one who stands out in nothing at all. The fruit of the Vedas is the rites performed before the fire (homa); the fruit of acquaintance with the scriptures is good character and conduct. The fruit of a wife is the pleasure of union and offspring; and the fruit of wealth is enjoyment and charity. He who performs acts meant to secure his welfare in the world beyond with wealth acquired sinfully never reaps the fruit of those acts in the world beyond, because of the sinfulness of the gains spent for that purpose. Amid deserts, or dense forests, or impregnable strongholds, amid every kind of danger and alarm, or at the sight of deadly weapons raised to strike, one who possesses strength of spirit knows no fear. Effort, self-mastery, skill, caution, equanimity, memory, and undertaking action only after mature reflection — know these to be the roots of prosperity.