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  3. Philosophy

où il se traduit tout dans l'existence

English translation: when he is fully (or wholly) expressed in existence

09:20 Dec 30, 2014
French to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Philosophy
French term or phrase: où il se traduit tout dans l'existence
From a text by Alain (Émile Chartier) about Spinoza:

Il y a un abîme dans Spinoza entre cette géométrie cristalline du com­mencement et les effusions mystiques de la fin. Telle est l'apparence. Et je crois que beaucoup d'hommes cultivés ont tenté de vaincre cette apparence, car Spinoza est fort lu. Mais comment savoir d'où nous tombent, comme des fruits, ces maximes dorées, que plus le corps d'un homme est apte à des perceptions et actions différentes, plus son âme a d'éternité, ou, encore mieux, que plus on connaît de choses particulières, plus on aime Dieu ? J'abrège, mais tel est bien le sens, et cela étourdit. C'est que l'on a mal suivi les arides prépa­rations. Voici une des idées les plus profondément cachées dans ce système. Un être, un homme, tel homme n'est jamais détruit que par des causes extérieures. Nulle maladie n'est en lui ; nul désespoir n'est en lui. S'il se tue, par l'effroi de sentir en sa propre nature quelque ennemi secret qui lentement le détruit, s'il le croit, s'il me le dit dans le moment qu'il tourne le poignard contre lui-même, cet homme me trompe et se trompe. Le mouvement du poignard lui est autant étranger que la chute d'une tuile. Il tombe des tuiles ; cela signifie que la durée de l'existence dépend de ce grand univers qui l'assiège toujours, qui toujours à quelque degré contrarie, frotte, use sans aucun égard Gœthe aussi bien que Thersite. Cette pluie de tuiles, petites ou grosses, est ce qui finit par nous tuer. Mais la mort n'est point en nous ; la mort n'est point nous. S'il y avait dans la nature propre de l'homme, dans cette formule de mouvements équilibrés selon laquelle il perçoit, agit et aime, s'il y avait dans ce composé quelque cause qui lui soit contraire, il ne vivrait pas un seul moment. Il y a donc une vérité de chacun, qui ne dépend point de la durée. Il y a de l'éternel en chacun, et cela c'est proprement lui. Essayez de saisir cette puissance qui lui est propre, dans ces instants heureux où il est lui-même, ****où il se traduit tout dans l'existence***, par -un concours heureux des choses et des hommes. Les sots diront que ce bonheur lui est extérieur ; mais le sage comprendra peut-être qu'à ces moments de puissance il est hautement lui.
tatyana000
Local time: 00:15
English translation:when he is fully (or wholly) expressed in existence
Explanation:
I basically agree with Sophie, but prefer this formulation (I would err on the side of caution in translating existence as being).

For Spinoza, the essence of a being is its striving (conatus) to persevere in existence. Only external factors can negate this, and presumably do a lot of the time, but there are some moments when the person can "grasp this power that is specific to him, in those happy moments when he is himself or when he is fully expressed in existence, due to a fortunate confluence of things and men".
Selected response from:

Melissa McMahon
Australia
Local time: 08:15
Grading comment
Thank you! I also very much like "confluence."
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +1when his entire being realizes itself
Sophie Cherel
3as it brings everything in existence
acetran
3when he is fully (or wholly) expressed in existence
Melissa McMahon
2when he can take on board all that surrounds him
ormiston


  

Answers


8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
as it brings everything in existence


Explanation:
The eternal is the cause of everything. That eternal (Noumea) is in us. So, it brings the phenomenon (everything in existence),or is the cause for it.

acetran
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in HindiHindi, Native in EnglishEnglish
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
où il se traduit tout dans l\'existence
when his entire being realizes itself


Explanation:
This is taking 'traduit' as 'transpose' and 'bringing into existence' in this case as into a reality that is both internal and external to man

Sophie Cherel
Spain
Local time: 23:15
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Charles Davis: This is how I understand it too: literally "when he translates (brings) his whole self into existence".
2 hrs
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7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
when he can take on board all that surrounds him


Explanation:
Very tricky and here's my humble stab at it. Given the context it seems to me these are moments when Man is 'on top of things' in his life. The register is more formal and Just maybe 'avails himself of...' Might work...

ormiston
Local time: 00:15
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

12 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
when he is fully (or wholly) expressed in existence


Explanation:
I basically agree with Sophie, but prefer this formulation (I would err on the side of caution in translating existence as being).

For Spinoza, the essence of a being is its striving (conatus) to persevere in existence. Only external factors can negate this, and presumably do a lot of the time, but there are some moments when the person can "grasp this power that is specific to him, in those happy moments when he is himself or when he is fully expressed in existence, due to a fortunate confluence of things and men".


Melissa McMahon
Australia
Local time: 08:15
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 86
Grading comment
Thank you! I also very much like "confluence."
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