cause & effect or karma

Your name or your person,
Which is dearer?
Your person or your goods,
Which is worth more?
Gain or loss,
Which is the greater bane?
That is why excessive meanness
Is sure to lead to great expenses;
Too much store
Is sure to end in emmense loss.
Know contentment
And you will suffer no disgrace;
Know when to stop
And you will meet with
no danger.
You can then endure. (Lao Tsu).