A good heart and good fortune
will lead to a lifetime of prosperity.

A malicious heart and good fortune
will turn blessings into omens of bad luck.

A good heart and bad fortune
will turn misfortunes into blessings.

A malicious heart and bad fortune
will bring disaster and poverty.

Speak good words, do good deeds, think good thoughts,
to create beautiful a Pure Land for me and you.

── from Renjian Yinyuan (Sounds of the Human World)
NOTE: Most people relegate success and failure to external causes and conditions, as if they have no control over what happens to them. They credit success to good fortune and failure to bad luck. They do not seem to understand that the key to success or failure lies within each of us.
According to the Buddha’s teaching, “Effect is determined by cause and condition.” If we desire a certain result, we must first cultivate the right causes and conditions. If we wish to have a good harvest, we must first till the land and sow the seed.
In order to be successful, we must create the right causes and conditions; without them, success will not come about. Therefore, to determine success or failure, it is up to us to decide what kind of effort we are willing to put forth in our endeavors.