THERE IS MANY A SLIP BETWEEN THE CUP AND THE LIP

 FROM SAMPATH’S DESK:

 

 

THERE IS MANY A SLIP BETWEEN THE CUP AND THE LIP

 

கைக்கு எட்டினது வாய்க்கு எட்டவில்லை

 

कप और होंठ के बीच कई बार फिसलन होती है 

(या)

जब तक यह पूरा न हो जाए तब तक कुछ भी निश्चित नहीं है

 

 

There is many a slip between the cup and the lip. This saying is laced with a negative tinge. However, here it is discussed from a positive perspective. To put the proverb differently: Oft times, many things may fall out between the cup and the lip. Another proverb carrying almost the same purport is: Don’t count the chickens before they are hatched. The Tamil equivalent for this proverb is: "முட்டை முறிக்காத வரை குஞ்சுகளை எண்ணாதே", and the Hindi equivalent is: "अंडा फूट्ने से पहले चूज़े मत गिनो."

The quote necessarily underlines uncertainty. The uncertainties are of two kinds: (1) Some adverse factor suddenly chips in to prevent you from progressing smoothly and succeeding, and (2) There is a long way to go; don’t speculate; and work harder until you achieve.

It means, in other words, that there is always scope for things to go wrong or not happen as expected between the point of anticipation and the final outcome. It emphasizes that something can derail or be derailed even when everything appears firm and is running on the track.

While the first is a negative thing, which one cannot normally expect to happen, the second one gives you a lesson that there may be obstacles in accomplishing a certain work/task, and you should be doubly careful and ready to face them to reach the goal. Pits and falls, potholes, and ups and downs in your journey path cannot be ruled out. There could also be some thorns in the flesh.

 

The first connotation presupposes that even when something seems certain or very close to fruition, some unexpected setback or changes can occur before it is finally achieved, like someone or something suddenly ‘putting a spanner in the works’, which cannot be generally predicted. Even though it is a negative alert, one can still find a positive lesson that we have to tread the path carefully, cautiously, and perfectly so that, despite possible hurdles and stumbling blocks, we can complete the journey and reach our destination.

 

Actually, the idea is not to panic people but to advise them to be prepared for potential difficulties ahead, like Aristotle said, “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”

 

It is a common experience that, albeit being adequately meritorious, having the required qualification(s), knowledge, and expertise,  one still needs a ‘Godfather’ for a suitable initial placement and then for subsequent career progression and good prospects.

 

Yet another similar saying is: ‘A rolling stone gathers no moss’. To expand it further: ‘As the rolling stone gathers no moss, so the roving heart gathers no affections.’

The following quotes are noteworthy:

 

Sharon  Pearson:

 

It is not the challenge that defines you. But it is what you do with it.

 

Swami Vivekananda:

 

Persevere on, my brave lads. We have only just begun. Never despond. Never say enough.

 

Dare to be free, dare to go as far as your thought leads, and dare to carry that out in your life.

 

 

 

R.SAMPATH

17/4/2025