Let the learned men squabble and bicker | Let the learned men squabble and bicker

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by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)

Translation © by Emily Ezust

Kophtisches Lied

(Sung text for setting by M. Bruch)

See base text

Language: German (Deutsch)

Our translations: CAT ENG FRE ITA

Laßet Gelehrte sich zanken und streiten,
Streng und bedächtig die Lehrer auch sein!
Alle die Weisesten aller der Zeiten 
Lächeln und winken und stimmen mit ein:
Töricht, auf Beßrung der Toren zu harren!
Kinder der Klugheit, o habet die Narren
Eben zum Narren auch, wie sich's gehört!

 ... 

Und auf den Höhen der indischen Lüfte
Und in den Tiefen ägyptischer Grüfte
Hab ich das heilige Wort nur gehört:
Töricht, auf Beßrung der Toren zu harren!
Kinder der Klugheit, o habet die Narren
Eben zum Narren auch, wie sich's gehört!

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1,3 of the original text.

Composition:

Max Bruch

Text Authorship:

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Cophtisches Lied", written 1799

See other settings of this text.

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2021, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "Let the learned men squabble and bicker", copyright ©
FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Chanson copte", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , "Canzone copta I", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 19
Word count: 128

Let the learned men squabble and bicker

(Sung text translation for setting by M. Bruch)

See original

Language: English after the German (Deutsch)

 Let the learned men squabble and bicker,
 and let also the teachers be strong and thoughtful!
 All of the wisest in all time
 smile, nod and agree with one thing:
 it is foolish to wait for fools to grow wise!
 Children of cleverness, regard fools
 always as fools, as they deserve!

 ... 

 And on the windy Indian heights,
 and in the Depths of the Egyptian tombs,
 I have only heard these sacred words:
 it is foolish to wait for fools to grow wise!
 Children of cleverness, regard fools
 always as fools, as they deserve!

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1,3 of the original text.

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust
Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:
Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
from the LiederNet Archive
For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
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Based on:

a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Cophtisches Lied", written 1799
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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 19
Word count: 139