Dear John and friends,

I agree that it may take two or more readings for someone to get the
meaning of the sentence. But, I don't think we should compromise and
simplify it. Besides, I think it is right in syntax. If only someone
can check up on English grammar. Furthermore, it correctly reflects
the moods in Pali. What we can do is to alter the first 'should'
into 'would', so that it reads:

He who would come first should receive the prize.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.


metta,
Yong Peng.

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, John Kelly wrote:

> 11. Yo pa.thama.m aagaccheyya so pa.n.naakaara.m labheyya.
> He who should come first should receive the prize.

The above sentence is not very clear English. I would suggest that a
more accurate reading would be:
He who comes first should receive the prize.