“These … things, homeowner, are welcome, agreeable, enjoyable, & difficult to get worldwide:
Long life is welcome, agreeable, pleasant, & tough to obtain in the world.Beauty is welcome,
reasonable, pleasant, & hard to obtain in the world.Happiness is welcome,
acceptable, pleasant, & hard to acquire in the world.Status is welcome,
agreeable, pleasant, & difficult to get worldwide … Now, I tell you, these … things are not to be obtained by factor of prayers or dreams. If they were to be obtained by factor of prayers or wishes, who here would lack them? It’s not fitting for the disciple of the noble ones who desires long life to pray for it or to delight in doing so. Instead, the disciple of the noble ones who desires long life need to follow the path of practice resulting in long life. In so doing, he will obtain long life …
[Ittha Sutta, AN 5.43]
— Buddha
