Thirukkural 376 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பரியினும் ஆகாவாம் பாலல்ல உய்த்துச்
சொரியினும் போகா தம.
Transliteration
Pariyinum Aakaavaam Paalalla Uyththuch
Choriyinum Pokaa Thama
Modern English
“What circumstances do not allow us to keep may slip away despite our care, while what truly remains with us may survive even when we neglect it.”
Modern Interpretation
What circumstances do not allow us to keep may slip away despite our care, while what truly remains with us may survive even when we neglect it. For example, a job can disappear despite careful planning, while a learned skill can stay useful through many changes.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
What circumstances do not allow us to keep may slip away despite our care, while what truly remains with us may survive even when we neglect it.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Things not thine never remain Things destined are surely thine
G.U. Pope Translation
Things not your own will yield no good, howe'er you guard with pain;Your own, howe'er you scatter them abroad, will yours remain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Whatever is not conferred by fate cannot be preserved although it be guarded with most painful care; and that, which fate has made his, cannot be lost, although one should even take it and throw it away
Tamil commentary
எத்தனை காத்தாலும் நமக்கு விதி இல்லை என்றால், செல்வம் நம்மிடம் தங்காது. வேண்டா என்று நாமே வெளியே தள்ளினாலும் விதி இருந்தால் செல்வம் நம்மை விட்டுப் போகமாட்டாது.
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