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English to German translations [PRO] Art/Literary - Philosophy / Quote
English term or phrase:Lao Tsu - Quote
Is there an official translation of the following quote in German or could you point me in the right direction? With thanks.
The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he of whom the people say ‘We did it ourselves’
Explanation: Nach Lao-tse ist ein schlechter Anführer, wer von den Menschen verachtet wird. Ein guter Führer ist, wer von den Menschen gepriesen wird. Ein bedeutender Anführer ist der von dem die Menschen sagen: "Wir haben es selbst getan." http://www.uni-klu.ac.at/~gossimit/lv/usw00/unkomm/niederlan...
Thanks! Although I like the other versions as well, I decided to go with this one as it seems to fit better in the context. Thanks again & also for the lively discussion... 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
No apologies necessary (IMO); I was just asking because it seemed opportune - there's no harm in asking for an official translation (but maybe your transltion will become the official translation). :-)
Thanks for your replies so far & apologies for asking for an "official" translation, realised that this is v. much subject to interpretation... With official I meant a standard English quote in line with Caro's note, something that has been used & quoted in books and publications (as I couldn't locate one on the Internet prior to posting the query). The context of this quote is a presentation on change management and leadership. Don't know whether this would make a difference, but already very grateful for the contributions made.
I suppose an official translation is one that has been used or quoted so often that it has become a well-known phrase. Like, say, 'Ich kam, sah und siegte'. It would be strange to read 'Ich bin angekommen, ich habe geschaut und ich bin der Sieger'.
Well, I am with Derek.
Laotsu's writing has a lot of different interpreations, kind of different translations into modern Chinese for both Taiwanese and Chinese people.
So, I wonder which one should be the official translation or interpretaion.
TO THE ASKER & THE OTHERS: I've seen this used so often, that I just had to ask: What is an 'official' translation? What makes a translation 'official'? :-)
11:07 Sep 10, 2004
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
6 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
lao tsu - quote
Lao Tsu - Zitat
Explanation: "Die besten Herrscher waren kaum gekannt - die folgenden geliebt und geehrt •
die folgenden gefürchtet - die letzten verachtet •
Wer selbst kein Vertrauen hat wird auch kein Vertrauen finden •
Wählt er seine Weisung mit Bedacht werden die Werke vollendet •
dem Willen willfahren und das Volk sagt: Wir sind frei." (see #17: http://doormann.tripod.com/laotse23.htm).
I don't know if it's official, but it sounds good to me. :-)
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 12 mins (2004-09-10 09:45:21 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Even if this isn\'t exactly what you are looking for, there are so many examples on that link, that you could come up with an awesome translation yourself... no plagarizing! ;-)
Explanation: Nach Lao-tse ist ein schlechter Anführer, wer von den Menschen verachtet wird. Ein guter Führer ist, wer von den Menschen gepriesen wird. Ein bedeutender Anführer ist der von dem die Menschen sagen: "Wir haben es selbst getan." http://www.uni-klu.ac.at/~gossimit/lv/usw00/unkomm/niederlan...
Kim Metzger Mexico Local time: 08:47 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 12
Grading comment
Thanks! Although I like the other versions as well, I decided to go with this one as it seems to fit better in the context. Thanks again & also for the lively discussion...
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +4
