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abbauen aus dem kontraktilen Apparat
Nov 24, 2009 15:06
14 yrs ago
5 viewers *
German term

""Auch aus Steinen, die in den Weg gelegt werden, kann man Schoenes bauen"

German to English Art/Literary Poetry & Literature Goethe quotation
Does anyone know of a published / 'official' translation for the above quote?
I need to keep the image as it used in a film, where stones are shown and important to the dialogue.

Many thanks
Proposed translations (English)
3 +8 Even the stones that have been placed in one's path can be made into something beautiful.
5 .. even stones in your path can lead to something beautiful
5 even from stones lying on the way one can build a beauty
3 +1 Even from stones that are put in one's way, one can build something beautiful.
4 Stumbling stones can in fact be used to build a beautiful edifice
3 you can even turn the stones in your way (path) into a beautiful structure (edifice)
References
Another option

Discussion

RegineMac Nov 25, 2009:
How about a take on "When life gives you lemons,.. ... make lemon juice."

Something like:
When life puts stones in your way, use them to build some beautiful structure.

It's not really a saying, but I think everybody would get the allusion.

Proposed translations

+8
11 mins
German term (edited): \"\"Auch aus Steinen, die in den Weg gelegt werden, kann man Schoenes bauen\"
Selected

Even the stones that have been placed in one's path can be made into something beautiful.

I would prefer it without "have been placed," but that seems to be the only way to include gelegt werden.
It would sound better thus:
Even the stones in one's path can be made into something beautiful.
Peer comment(s):
agree philgoddard : Even the stones placed in one's path can be made into something beautiful
24 mins
Yes, that's better, thanks.
agree Monika Elisabeth Sieger
31 mins
Thanks
agree Steven Sidore : philgoddard's selection is good
40 mins
Thanks
agree Thayenga : Right with Steven.
1 hr
Thanks
agree franglish : with Phil, too
2 hrs
Thanks
agree Rolf Keiser
2 hrs
Thanks
agree Courtney Sliwinski : Very poetic!
3 hrs
Thanks, Courtney
agree Jutta Scherer : with Phil
1 day 38 mins
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Chose philgoddard's version. Many thanks."
+1
7 mins

Even from stones that are put in one's way, one can build something beautiful.

It's published at http://pauldots.blogspot.com/ . I'll let you decide whether that's "official" enough for your purposes.
Peer comment(s):
agree Henry Schroeder : sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me....
19 mins
neutral philgoddard : I'm not sure about the repetition of "one" or the comma. //How can you have an "official" translation of something like this? And why have you submitted one if she can come up with her own?
31 mins
You're missing the point. The question was about a "published" or "official" translation, not a good one. I'm sure that RosiJillett has enough knowledge of German that she can come up with her own translation.
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1 hr

.. even stones in your path can lead to something beautiful

even stones in your path can lead to something beautiful... or lead to a beautiful creation....

I think is better and contains more symbolism than

.. even stones in your path can let you create something beautiful...

good luck and best to you
Peer comment(s):
neutral Armorel Young : it's not clear to me how stones can "lead" anywhere - other than by marking the route of a path, which is a completely different image from "bauen"
5 hrs
Something went wrong...
1 day 56 mins

Stumbling stones can in fact be used to build a beautiful edifice

not official, just my own one.
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8 hrs

you can even turn the stones in your way (path) into a beautiful structure (edifice)

taking it a bit further:

Auch aus Steinen, die in den Weg gelegt werden, kann man Schoenes bauen.

The stones that stand against you can also stand in your favor, beautifully.

You can pick up the stones in your way and build a beautiful structure.

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Note added at 1 day11 hrs (2009-11-26 02:17:16 GMT)
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or:
You can even turn the stones blocking your path into beautiful structures.
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4 days

even from stones lying on the way one can build a beauty

A humen being can take something positve and constructive even from obstacles coming in the way of life
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Reference comments

2 hrs
Reference:

Another option

Auch aus Steinen, die einem in den Weg gelegt werden, kann man Schönes bauen.
Beautiful things can be built even from stones placed in your way.
- Goethe
http://www.alzpoetry.com/German Language Programming/
Peer comments on this reference comment:
agree Barbara Wiebking
4 days
Something went wrong...
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