This proverb means that life is a precious gift from God, something we ask for humbly and with gratitude (where ‘Ramangatahina’ means asking from God, or Ramanga). In contrast, money is something that must be earned through one’s efforts and hard work (thus ‘Ramangatadiavina’ meaning to seek with determination). An equivalent proverb in English would be, ‘Money can’t buy happiness, but you do need to work to live.’