- English translation
Before the unlucky man's fortune ever turns, his days have run out.
- Literal wording
By the time the luckless one becomes fortunate, his life will be used up.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying observes that by the time a person dogged by bad luck finally becomes well-off, his life has already been spent. The good fortune hoped for is chiefly material prosperity, and it comes so slowly that death arrives before the wealth does.
More broadly, it points to the cruelty of delayed relief: a benefit that shows up only after it can no longer matter is almost no benefit at all. It carries a resigned, somewhat bitter view of how chance treats the unfortunate.
- When it is used
Say it wryly about someone who keeps waiting for prosperity that never seems to arrive, or about a gain likely to come too late to help. It can sound sympathetic or gently mocking, depending on tone and on how close the speaker is to the person.
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- Colloquial
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: Before the unlucky man's fortune ever turns, his days have run out.