Thirukkural 372 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பேதைப் படுக்கும் இழவூழ் அறிவகற்றும்
ஆகலூழ் உற்றக் கடை.
Transliteration
Pedhaip Patukkum Izhavoozh Arivakatrum
Aakaloozh Utrak Katai
Modern English
“Changing circumstances can make a person feel either mentally dull or more capable of understanding.”
Modern Interpretation
Changing circumstances can make a person feel either mentally dull or more capable of understanding. For example, a serious setback may overwhelm someone at first, while good guidance and a better opportunity can help the same person learn and grow.
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Modern Plain English
Changing circumstances can make a person feel either mentally dull or more capable of understanding.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Loss-fate makes a dull fool of us Gain-fate makes us prosperous, wise!
G.U. Pope Translation
The fate that loss ordains makes wise men's wisdom foolishness;The fate that gain bestows with ampler powers will wisdom bless
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
An adverse fate produces folly, and a prosperous fate produces enlarged knowledge
Tamil commentary
தாழ்வதற்கு உரிய விதி இருந்தால் அறிவு மனிதனைப் பேதை ஆக்கும்; உயர்வதற்கு உரிய விதி இருந்தால் அறிவு விரிவு பெறும்.
Chapter 38
More from Fate
ஊழ்
Efforts succeed by waxing star Wealth-losing brings waning star
Kural 372Loss-fate makes a dull fool of us Gain-fate makes us prosperous, wise!
Kural 373What matters subtle study deep? Levels of innate wisdom-keep
Kural 374Two natures in the world obtain Some wealth and others wisdom gain
Kural 375In making wealth fate changes mood; The good as bad and bad as good
Kural 376Things not thine never remain Things destined are surely thine
Kural 377Who crores amass enjoy but what The Dispenser's decrees allot
Kural 378The destitute desire will quit If fate with ills visit them not
Kural 379Who good in time of good perceive In evil time why should they grieve?
Kural 380What power surpasses fate? Its will Persists against the human skill