K: I am learning German by Reading Faust. I have Walter Kaufmann’s translation which is English on
one side and the German on the other side. Interesting way to learn a Language.
My quote by the way is “back at the ranch” by me, which is my way of saying getting back to the point.
[b]“I am the spirit that negates.
And rightly so, for all that comes to be
Deserves to perish wretchedly;
'Twere better nothing would begin.
Thus everything that that your terms, sin,
Destruction, evil represent—
That is my proper element.”
“—very popular error: having the courage of one’s convictions—? Rather it is a matter of having the courage for an attack on one’s convictions”
― Friedrich Nietzsche
“Ich bin ein Teil des Teils, der anfangs alles war,
Ein Teil der Finsternis, die sich das Licht gebar,
Das stolze Licht, das nun der Mutter Nacht
Den alten Rang, den Raum ihr streitig macht.
Und doch gelingt’s ihm nicht, da es, so viel es strebt,
Verhaftet an den Körpern klebt.”
Johann Wolfgang (von) Goethe, Faust (I), 1790 / 1808, S. 67.
Translation:
“But I’m part of the Part which at the first was all,
Part of the Darkness that gave birth to Light,
The haughty Light that now with Mother Night
Disputes her ancient rank and space withal,
And yet 'twill not succeed, since, strive as strive it may,
Fettered to bodies will Light stay.”
Johann Wolfgang (von) Goethe, Faust (I), 1790 / 1808, p. 67.
“Geben Sie Gedankenfreiheit!” - Friedrich Schiller, “Don Karlos”, 1787.
Translation:
“Give freedom of thought!” - Friedrich Schiller, “Don Carlos”, 1787.
_____ Don Carlos (1545-1568), ______ King Philipp II of Spain (1527-1598), Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805), 1st print of Schiller’s “Don Karlos” (1787)
In the near end of Goethe’s “Faust”, part II, an angel says to Faust:
[list][list][list][list][list][list]“Wer immer strebend sich bemüht, // Den können wir erlösen.”
(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, “Faust”, Teil II, S. 376.)
Translation:
“Who strives always to the utmost, // For him there is salvation…”[/list:u][/list:u][/list:u][/list:u][/list:u][/list:u]
And amongst others this is what the “Chorus mysticus” sings when Faust is in heaven at last:
[list][list][list][list][list][list]“Alles Vergängliche ist nur ein Gleichnis.”
(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, “Faust”, Teil II, S. 383.)
Translation:
“All perishable is only an allegory.”[/list:u][/list:u][/list:u][/list:u][/list:u][/list:u]
Add-on:
[list]
“Niemand ist mehr Sklave, als der sich für frei hält, ohne es zu sein.”
(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, “Die Wahlverwandtschaften”, Band 6, S. 397.)
Translation:[/list:u]
[list]
“None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.”[/list:u]