If diligent, even a beggar can get warm rice.
Used to say that diligence pays off.
Koreans used to, and many still do, get up early to make their rice for the day. If a beggar, with rice bowl in hand, starts begging early enough, he might be able to get some of this warm morning rice, but if he waits too long, the rice will cool down and, as a result, be less appetizing.
The early bird catches the worm.
Thank you