And that's what Mishlei states. In Mishlei, he’s talking about succeeding in avodas Hashem and he gives the reader advice on how to succeed. You know there are people who feel they haven't succeeded in learning Torah. Not only learning – there are other things besides Torah too; there are all types of greatness in avodas Hashem. But whatever it is they’re doing – maybe they’re marrying off orphans, doing mitzvos, gemillas chasodim, raising children, other things – they feel like they’re not succeeding as much as they hoped.
Shlomo Hamelech will tell you what the solution is. He says, סֶ ף בַ קְ שֶׁ נָּ ה כַ כָ אִ ם תְ – If you’ll seek it like you seek money, חְ פְּ שֶ ׂ נָּה וְ כַ מַּ טְ מוֹנִים תַ – If you’ll search for it like you search for hidden treasures, אָ ז בִין יִרְ אַת ה ת' – then you’ll realize all the great ideals, the great accomplishments, in the service of Hashem (Mishlei 2:4).
Now, he doesn't say “If you'll seek it”. He puts in an extra word: If you'll seek it kakesef, like you seek money and treasures. Because finding treasures, making money, that’s your business and so, it’s a serious thing for you. How do you search for hidden treasures? By sleeping till 10 o’clock in the morning? By sitting on your couch at home? Oh no! You have to get up and hire a certain kind of boat, a diving boat. You have to make expeditions. You have to study plans. You have to study history to know where ancient Spanish galleons were sunk. You have to go through a great deal of expense and discomfort before you can find hidden treasures.
