It is better to be born lucky than rich.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

Favourable circumstances can sometimes matter more than possessions already held. The saying gives luck priority over a rich starting point.

What the words are saying

The comparison places two possible advantages side by side: resources and fortunate events. It can express surprise when an unexpected opportunity benefits someone more than an apparently stronger position would have done. The line also recognises that outcomes are not entirely under a person’s control. Its broad preference is not a rule for ranking actual lives or making financial choices. A careful use identifies the particular fortunate event, without calling people unlucky because they face hardship or dismissing effort that also contributed.

Everyday example

An unexpected introduction opens a useful opportunity that someone could not have arranged through resources alone.

When to use it

Use it when an unplanned favourable event changes an outcome.

Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.