Thirukkural 379 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

நன்றாங்கால் நல்லவாக் காண்பவர் அன்றாங்கால்
அல்லற் படுவ தெவன்?

Transliteration

Nandraangaal Nallavaak Kaanpavar Andraangaal
Allar Patuva Thevan?

English Translation

“Who good in time of good perceive In evil time why should they grieve?”

Plain-English meaning

How is it that those, who are pleased with good fortune, trouble themselves when evil comes, (since both are equally the decree of fate) ?

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Who good in time of good perceive In evil time why should they grieve?

G.U. Pope Translation

When good things come, men view them all as gain;When evils come, why then should they complain

Plain-English Meaning

How is it that those, who are pleased with good fortune, trouble themselves when evil comes, (since both are equally the decree of fate) ?

நல்லது நடக்கும்போது மட்டும் நல்லது என அனுபவிப்பவர், தீயது நடக்கும்போது மட்டும் துன்பப்படுவது ஏன்?

Chapter 38

ஊழ்

Efforts succeed by waxing star Wealth-losing brings waning star

Loss-fate makes a dull fool of us Gain-fate makes us prosperous, wise!

What matters subtle study deep? Levels of innate wisdom-keep

Two natures in the world obtain Some wealth and others wisdom gain

In making wealth fate changes mood; The good as bad and bad as good

Things not thine never remain Things destined are surely thine

Who crores amass enjoy but what The Dispenser's decrees allot

The destitute desire will quit If fate with ills visit them not

Who good in time of good perceive In evil time why should they grieve?

What power surpasses fate? Its will Persists against the human skill