Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at licenses@email.lieder.example.net
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Dreyfach ist der Schritt der Zeit, Zögernd kommt die Zukunft hergezogen, Pfeilschnell ist das Jetzt entflogen, Ewig still steht die Vergangenheit. Keine Ungeduld beflügelt Ihren Schritt, wenn sie verweilt. Keine Furcht, kein [Zweifeln]1 zügelt Ihren Lauf, wenn sie enteilt. Keine Reu, kein Zaubersegen Kann die stehende bewegen. Möchtest du beglückt und weise Endigen des Lebens Reise, Nimm die Zögernde zum Rath, Nicht zum Werkzeug deiner That. Wähle nicht die Fliehende zum Freund, Nicht die Bleibende zum Feind.
F. Schubert sets stanzas 1-2 in (at least) one setting - see below for more information
F. Schubert sets stanza 1 in (at least) one setting - see below for more information
F. Schubert sets stanza 1 in (at least) one setting - see below for more information
About the headline (FAQ)
View original text (without footnotes)Confirmed with Gedichte von Friederich Schiller, Erster Theil, Leipzig, 1800, bey Siegfried Lebrecht Crusius, page 66.
1 Schubert: "Zweifel"Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich von Schiller (1759 - 1805), "Spruch des Confucius", written 1795 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Wolfgang Michael Rihm (1952 - 2024), "Spruch des Confucius I", 2005 [ baritone and piano ], from Zwei Sprüche nach Texten von Friedrich Schiller, no. 1, confirmed with a CD booklet [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828), "Dreifach ist der Schritt der Zeit", subtitle: "Spruch des Konfuzius", D 43 (1813), published 1897, stanzas 1-2 [ vocal trio for 2 tenors and bass ] [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828), "Dreifach ist der Schritt der Zeit", subtitle: "Spruch des Konfuzius", D 69 (1813), published 1892, stanza 1 [ vocal trio ], canon [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828), "Dreifach ist der Schritt der Zeit", subtitle: "Spruch des Konfuzius", D 70 (1813), published 1974, stanza 1 [ vocal trio for 2 tenors and bass ], fragment [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2019, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Spreuken van Confucius", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Malcolm Wren) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Sentence de Confucius", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Martin-Beatus Meier , Peter Rastl [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 78
Time's pace is threefold: The future approaches with hesitation, The present flies off as fast as an arrow and The past remains silent forever. No impatience gives wings To its steps when time drags, No fear, no doubt holds back Its course when it speeds up, No regret, no magic spell Can move it when it has stopped. If you want to be happy and wise when you End the journey of your life Take the hesitant as your counsellor, Not as a tool for your actions. Don't choose what is flying past as a friend Or what remains as your foe.
About the headline (FAQ)
Translation of title "Sprüche des Confucius" = "Saying by Confucius"Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 by Malcolm Wren, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich von Schiller (1759 - 1805), "Spruch des Confucius", written 1795
This text was added to the website: 2016-09-11
Line count: 16
Word count: 102