French quote from Faust in English please
Thread poster: Sandra Petch
Sandra Petch
Sandra Petch
Local time: 16:02
French to English
+ ...
Sep 1, 2006

I've searched the web and haven't been able to find the English translation (or one of the English translations perhaps) of this quote from Faust.

"Celui qui sait profiter du moment, c'est là l'homme avisé."

I'd much appreciate help with this. Many thanks.
Sandra


 
Kim Metzger
Kim Metzger  Identity Verified
Mexico
Local time: 09:02
German to English
One version Sep 1, 2006

Der Geist der Medizin ist leicht zu fassen;
Ihr durchstudiert die groß, und kleine Welt,
Um es am Ende gehn zu lassen,
Wie's Gott gefällt.
Vergebens, daß Ihr ringsum wissenschaftlich schweift,
Ein jeder lernt nur, was er lernen kann;
Doch der den Augenblick ergreift,
Das ist der rechte Mann.


L'esprit de la médecine est facile à saisir; vous étudiez bien le grand et le petit monde, pour les laisser aller enfin à la grâce de Die
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Der Geist der Medizin ist leicht zu fassen;
Ihr durchstudiert die groß, und kleine Welt,
Um es am Ende gehn zu lassen,
Wie's Gott gefällt.
Vergebens, daß Ihr ringsum wissenschaftlich schweift,
Ein jeder lernt nur, was er lernen kann;
Doch der den Augenblick ergreift,
Das ist der rechte Mann.


L'esprit de la médecine est facile à saisir; vous étudiez bien le grand et le petit monde, pour les laisser aller enfin à la grâce de Dieu. C'est en vain que vous vous élanceriez après la science, chacun n'apprend que ce qu'il peut apprendre; mais celui qui sait profiter du moment, c'est là l'homme avisé.

http://www.allemand-online.de/uebungen/inhaltsangabe_uebungen/literatur/faust/faust/7_studierzimmer2.htm

Yet he who grasps the moment's gift,
He is the proper man.
[Ger., Der den Augenblick ergreift,
Das ist der rechte Mann.]
- Faust (I, 4, 494)

http://www.giga-usa.com/quotes/authors/johann_wolfgang_goethe_a011.htm
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Sandra Petch
Sandra Petch
Local time: 16:02
French to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thank you Kim Sep 1, 2006

I like that translation. I had been searching around "wise man" for "homme avisé" hence my lack of results.

How exactly did you find this (a chance to hone my googling skills!)?

Thanks again!
Sandra


 
Refugio
Refugio
Local time: 08:02
Spanish to English
+ ...
Veeery nice, Kim Sep 1, 2006

Now that is a good translation, even to the double meaning of grasp!

 
Kim Metzger
Kim Metzger  Identity Verified
Mexico
Local time: 09:02
German to English
Googling for Goethe Sep 1, 2006

Sandra Petch wrote:

How exactly did you find this (a chance to hone my googling skills!)?



Hi Sandra - I knew from studying Faust that Augenblick was probably the German word for "moment". I entered the French line plus Augenblick and got the German line. It was easier for me to find the English translation once I had the German.
Best wishes, Kim


 
Sandra Petch
Sandra Petch
Local time: 16:02
French to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Whereas I don't speak any German...! Sep 1, 2006

Thanks so much for helping.

Sandra


 
Sibylle Ferner
Sibylle Ferner
Local time: 04:02
English to German
+ ...
Translation by David Luke Sep 2, 2006

Here is the translation by David Luke, which won the European Poetry Translation Prize in 1989:

The art of Medicine is easily defined.
You study the whole world, both great and small,
Only to find
That God's creation can't be changed at all.
Your far-flung scientific fantasies
are vain; we each learn only what we can.

But he who seizes opportunities,
He's the successful man!

I actually own this edition. No googling nece
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Here is the translation by David Luke, which won the European Poetry Translation Prize in 1989:

The art of Medicine is easily defined.
You study the whole world, both great and small,
Only to find
That God's creation can't be changed at all.
Your far-flung scientific fantasies
are vain; we each learn only what we can.

But he who seizes opportunities,
He's the successful man!

I actually own this edition. No googling necessary, but Kim's link helped to find the actual place, which is 7. Faust's Study (II), 2017-18 (not where listed above).

HTH
Sibylle
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Sandra Petch
Sandra Petch
Local time: 16:02
French to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thank you Sibylle Sep 5, 2006

That *is* a beautiful translation.

Ultimately I've decided to go with the translation Kim proposed given the context, which is the first page of a presentation of a "roadbook" for a corporate incentive trip.

"But he who seizes opportunities, He's the successful man!" makes a better "sound bite" to my ears (if I dare call it that!) + "successful" fits well with incentive!

Thank you again for taking time to help, it really is appreciated.

Regard
... See more
That *is* a beautiful translation.

Ultimately I've decided to go with the translation Kim proposed given the context, which is the first page of a presentation of a "roadbook" for a corporate incentive trip.

"But he who seizes opportunities, He's the successful man!" makes a better "sound bite" to my ears (if I dare call it that!) + "successful" fits well with incentive!

Thank you again for taking time to help, it really is appreciated.

Regards,
Sandra
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French quote from Faust in English please







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