More effective but less fun than “eat, pray, love”? Nah, just parallel.

勤倹力行
kin.ken.ri-.kkou

Literally: diligence – frugality – power – go / carry out (an action)

Alternately: Frugality and hard work. A modest lifestyle supported by copious elbow grease. From combining 勤倹, to work a lot and not waste money, and 力行, to give your utmost effort for something.

Notes: 力行 may be read as rikikou, ryokkou, or ryokukou without this being considered an error, although these readings are less common.

A common sight in Japanese schoolyards: A statue of Ninomiya Kinjirou studying on his own while carrying firewood. He’s an amazing figure who, among other things, invented community credit unions. Go read up on him NOW.