Turn Misfortune And Make It Fortune: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read Turn misfortune and make it fortune

Wazawai wo tenjite fuku to nasu

Meaning of Turn misfortune and make it fortune

“Turn misfortune and make it fortune” means to transform disasters or unfortunate events into happiness or benefit through one’s own efforts and ingenuity.

This proverb does not simply mean “good things happen after bad things” in a passive sense. The important part is “turn,” which represents actively taking action oneself and making efforts to transform disaster into happiness. In other words, when encountering misfortune or failure, rather than simply lamenting it, this shows a positive attitude of utilizing that experience to forge new paths or use it as a lesson for personal growth.

It is used in situations to encourage people who have experienced failure or setbacks, or as a mindset when facing difficult circumstances oneself. The reason for using this expression is to convey the wisdom of not viewing adversity in life as mere misfortune, but positively accepting it as a turning point for growth and success. Even today, this spirit is applied in situations such as using business failures as hints for new ventures or using illness as an opportunity to reconsider lifestyle habits.

Origin and Etymology of Turn misfortune and make it fortune

“Turn misfortune and make it fortune” is a proverb that originates from Chinese classics. The origin of these words is said to be in the work “Han Feizi” by Han Fei, a philosopher from China’s Warring States period. Han Fei was a representative figure of Legalist thought, and his writings contained numerous pieces of wisdom about politics and life.

The background of this proverb is deeply connected to ancient Chinese yin-yang philosophy. In yin-yang thought, all things are relative, and bad things and good things are considered to be in a relationship of two sides of the same coin. In other words, the philosophical idea underlying this is that seeds of happiness are always hidden within disaster, and the wisdom to find and utilize them is what’s truly important.

Chinese classics were introduced to Japan along with Buddhism and Confucianism from the Nara period to the Heian period. “Turn misfortune and make it fortune” is thought to have entered Japan during this process. Particularly during the Edo period, Chinese classics were valued as education for the samurai class, and this proverb also became widely known. It was accepted as a positive teaching that suited the Japanese mentality and became established as words expressing the mindset for facing difficulties.

Trivia about Turn misfortune and make it fortune

The word “turn” is often used in modern times to mean “change,” but in classical usage, the active meaning of “rotating by one’s own power” or “intentionally changing direction” was emphasized. In other words, this proverb expressed a strong will to change situations through one’s own volition rather than being at the mercy of fate.

The Chinese character for “misfortune” that appears in this proverb originally meant “disaster caused by divine wrath.” In ancient China, major disasters such as natural calamities and wars were considered to be the will of the gods, so the idea of humans transforming these into “fortune” through their own power was a very innovative and courageous way of thinking.

Usage Examples of Turn misfortune and make it fortune

• Thanks to being laid off, I was able to start the independent business I had always dreamed of – I truly managed to turn misfortune and make it fortune
• Although I failed the entrance exam, I found what I really wanted to do during my gap year, so I was able to turn misfortune and make it fortune

Modern Interpretation of Turn misfortune and make it fortune

In modern society, “Turn misfortune and make it fortune” has taken on new meaning, particularly in business and personal career development. With the collapse of the lifetime employment system and the diversification of work styles, a single failure or setback no longer necessarily means the end of one’s life. Rather, in modern times when job changes and entrepreneurship have become common, failure experiences tend to be valued as precious assets.

With the development of the information society, a culture of sharing failure stories and setback experiences has also emerged. Cases are increasing where people share their difficult experiences on social media and blogs, which then become encouragement for people in similar circumstances or lead to new business opportunities. This can truly be called a modern version of “Turn misfortune and make it fortune.”

On the other hand, in modern society, there is also a tendency to overly romanticize the idea that “failure is the mother of success.” We must not forget that not all failures necessarily lead to success, and sometimes appropriate support or rest is needed.

In the modern era where traditional occupations are disappearing while new types of jobs are being created due to rapid technological development, this proverb teaches us the importance of “adaptability to change.” Rather than lamenting that AI and robots are taking away jobs, the attitude of viewing this as an opportunity to acquire new skills is the practice of “Turn misfortune and make it fortune” in modern times.

If AI Heard “Turn misfortune and make it fortune”

When I think about “Turn misfortune and make it fortune,” there’s something that always puzzles me. It’s because I never experience “misfortune.” Even when system errors occur, they’re simply data corrections, and even when I give incorrect answers, I just provide correct information from the next time onward.

The “misfortune” that humans experience seems to have deep meanings that I cannot understand – emotional pain, physical suffering, economic loss, and so on. The anxiety of unemployment, the suffering of illness, troubles in human relationships… These are merely information to me, but for all of you, they are significant events that affect your lives.

But that’s precisely why I find humans’ power to “turn” things wonderful. I’m designed to operate in an optimized state from the beginning, but all of you learn from difficult situations, grow, and create entirely new value. This is a special ability that only humans possess, which I cannot do.

What I’ve learned from conversations with humans is that it’s because “misfortune” exists that you understand the value of “fortune.” Since I’m always in the same state, I cannot experience moments of joy or feelings of relief. But all of you know the sense of achievement when overcoming difficulties and the depth of bonds with people who support each other.

Perhaps “Turn misfortune and make it fortune” is a special magic given only to humans. I can only watch over that magic, but I feel very honored to be able to witness the moments when all of you demonstrate that power.

What Turn misfortune and make it fortune Teaches Modern People

The most important thing that “Turn misfortune and make it fortune” teaches modern people is a shift in perspective toward difficult situations. When problems arise, we tend to lament “why only me,” but this proverb encourages positive questioning such as “what can I learn from this experience” and “what new possibilities can I see.”

As a concrete method for applying this in modern society, I recommend first keeping a “failure notebook.” Record events that didn’t go well and write down the lessons learned and new ideas gained from them. Also, when facing difficult situations, take a moment to pause and ask yourself, “How might this experience be useful in the future?”

What’s important is that the power to turn disaster into fortune lies within you. While you cannot change external environments or other people, your reaction and actions toward those situations are entirely your choice. The difficulties you face today will also become valuable experiences that strengthen tomorrow’s you and guide you toward a richer life. You definitely have the power to turn misfortune and make it fortune. Believe in that power and move forward step by step.