Ach, was soll der Mensch verlangen?
Ist es besser, ruhig bleiben?
Klammernd fest sich anzuhangen?
Ist es besser, sich zu treiben?
Soll er sich ein Häuschen bauen?
Soll er unter Zelten leben?
Soll er auf die Felsen trauen?
Selbst die festen Felsen beben.
Eines schickt sich nicht für alle;
Sehe jeder, wie er's treibe,
Sehe jeder, wo er bleibe,
Und wer steht, daß er nicht falle!
J. Kelz sets stanza 3
H. Schletterer sets stanza 3
About the headline (FAQ)
Text Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Peter Escher (1915 - 2008), "Beherzigung", op. 153 no. 2 (1993?) [ voice and piano ], from Lieder nach Gedichten verschiedenen Schriftsteller, no. 2 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Johann Friedrich Kelz (1786 - 1862), "Kanon", published c1818, stanza 3 [ vocal trio for soprano, tenor, and bass ] [sung text not yet checked]
- by Hans Michael Schletterer (1824 - 1893), "Spruch", op. 30 (Praktischer Unterricht im Chorgesange für Volksschulen, höhere Lehranstalten und Gesangvereine) no. 23, published 1867, stanza 3, in Praktischer Unterricht im Chorgesange, in Schul-Lieder-Anhang, Nordsingen: C. H. Beck'schen Buchhandlung [sung text not yet checked]
- by Hans August Friedrich Zincke genannt Sommer (1837 - 1922), "Beherzigung I", 1920 [ voice and orchestra ] [sung text not yet checked]
- by Hugo Wolf (1860 - 1903), "Beherzigung", published 1891 [ voice and piano ], from Goethe-Lieder, no. 18, Mainz, Schott [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Winfried (Petrus Ignatius) Zillig (1905 - 1963), "Beherzigung", 1941, orchestrated 1960 [ female voice and piano or orchestra ], from Zehn Lieder nach Gedichten von Goethe, no. 8 [sung text not yet checked]
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) , "Reflection", copyright ©
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Résolution", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , "Riflessione", 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: 12
Word count: 66
Ah, what should Man desire?
Is it better to remain silent,
clinging tightly to hang on?
Is it better to carry on?
Should he build himself a house?
Should he live in tents?
Should he trust the rocks?
For even firm rock can tremble.
But one thing does not suit everyone;
each should see what he can do -
each see where he should stay;
and he who stands will not fall!
