Thirukkural-On Virtue-On Fate-Kural 375

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In acquiring wealth, sometimes, even good things turn out to be bad,
While some evil actions bring about good results.

It certainly is most intriguing to find that in the pursuit of the good things of life, very often the ostensibly good actions become evil, and the apparently bad ones turn out good. That is probably what Confucius said that 'Riches and honours depend upon heaven". If Providence or Destiny or Fate, does not will it, the good things themselves produce poor or even bad results.

But in the light of Valluvar"s later averments (Kurals 594 & 620), about the power of human effort, it is best to take this Kural as a caution, focusing attention on all the pre-determined inclinations that will go counter to the efforts and the problems that will arise through no fault of the concerned. The idea, I presume, is to call for redoubled effort.