Glossary entry (derived from question below)
German term or phrase:
auf groben Klotz ein grober Keil
English translation:
It takes a sharp axe to split a tough log / You have to give it straight from the shoulder / It's no good mincing words
Added to glossary by
Paul Cohen
Sep 26, 2007 16:09
16 yrs ago
3 viewers *
German term
Canada
auf groben Klotz ein grober Keil
German to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
I'm stuck for a translation of this quotation from Goethe. It's a line from this verse (my source text quotes only the one line, not the whole verse):
Im neuen Jahre Glück und Heil!
Auf Weh und Wunden gute Salben.
Auf groben Klotz ein grober Keil,
auf einen Schelmen anderthalben!
The text itself is about Felix von Weingartner. Here's the sentence in question:
"Was wir schon immer über die "Berliner Jahre" wissen wollten, nie aber zu fragen wagten, wird hier Ereignis: Befremdlich, wie oft ein Künstler vom Formate Weingartners beleidigt ist, wie oft er sich wie ein Dreschflegel gegen den Vorwurf der "Kontaktbrüchigkeit" verwahrt, sich aber zugleich als Opfer (zweifellos vorhandener) Neidhammel und Mißgunstgewerbler darstellt und dabei das Goethe-Motto "Auf groben Klotz ein grober Keil!" am Revers trägt".
Im neuen Jahre Glück und Heil!
Auf Weh und Wunden gute Salben.
Auf groben Klotz ein grober Keil,
auf einen Schelmen anderthalben!
The text itself is about Felix von Weingartner. Here's the sentence in question:
"Was wir schon immer über die "Berliner Jahre" wissen wollten, nie aber zu fragen wagten, wird hier Ereignis: Befremdlich, wie oft ein Künstler vom Formate Weingartners beleidigt ist, wie oft er sich wie ein Dreschflegel gegen den Vorwurf der "Kontaktbrüchigkeit" verwahrt, sich aber zugleich als Opfer (zweifellos vorhandener) Neidhammel und Mißgunstgewerbler darstellt und dabei das Goethe-Motto "Auf groben Klotz ein grober Keil!" am Revers trägt".
Proposed translations
(English)
Change log
Sep 27, 2007 07:50: Paul Cohen Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
+2
54 mins
Paul Cohen
Greenland
Greenland
Native in English
Works in field
Greenland
Will work for blubber
Native in: English 
Works in: German to English, French to English, Danish to English
Related KudoZ points
:
26
Selected
a tough log needs a sharp axe
In other words, one has to answer rudeness with rudeness - or to paraphrase it differently (and given Felix Weingartner's personality, this might be more appropriate) it's no good mincing words - you have to give it straight from the shoulder (where he was probably carrying a big chip anyway).
By the way, inspiration for this answer came from one of my favorite dictionaries: the "German-English Dictionary of Idioms" by Hans Schemann and Paul Knight, Routledge publishing house, 1995.
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Note added at 57 mins (2007-09-26 17:06:30 GMT)
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It takes a sharp axe to split a tough log.
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Note added at 1 hr (2007-09-26 17:36:18 GMT)
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It takes a big hammer to drive in a big nail.
Sometimes you have to hammer and hammer on a point until... ;-)
By the way, inspiration for this answer came from one of my favorite dictionaries: the "German-English Dictionary of Idioms" by Hans Schemann and Paul Knight, Routledge publishing house, 1995.
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Note added at 57 mins (2007-09-26 17:06:30 GMT)
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It takes a sharp axe to split a tough log.
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Note added at 1 hr (2007-09-26 17:36:18 GMT)
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It takes a big hammer to drive in a big nail.
Sometimes you have to hammer and hammer on a point until... ;-)
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Can definitely use that, thanks a lot Paul! :-)"
32 mins
Henry Schroeder
United States
United States
Native in English
Specializes in field
United States
20 years of experience, certified, ATA
Native in: English (Variant: US)
Works in: German to English, Russian to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
88
Now is the accepted time...
Now is the accepted time to make your regular (annual) good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.
- Mark Twain
- Mark Twain
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Paul Cohen
: Why wait until next week, Henry? / Well, from hedonist to hedonist, I have to say, I'm also a big Twain fan.
25 mins
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Because Twain said so, quote on quote, famous writer to famous writer...
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49 mins
Kim Metzger
Mexico
Mexico
Native in English
Specializes in field
Mexico
Committed to Quality and Service
Native in: English (Variant: US)
Works in: German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
213
It takes a crude wedge to split a crude log
Duden Redewendungen: auf einen groben Klotz gehört ein grober Keil - auf eine Grobheit, Unverschämtheit, grobe Unhöflichkeit o.Ä. soll man in gleicher Weise reagieren.
Traditionally the courts accept the right to a counterattack. Anyone, who is fiercely attacked, may answer with a fierce attack. A German proverb says: "Auf einen groben Klotz gehört ein grober Keil." (A crude chunk requires a crude wedge)
http://tinyurl.com/2hgwff
Well Owen, I’ve tried to be polite and seriously explain things to you, but I guess “auf einen groben Klotz gehört ein grober Keil”, as a German saying goes.
Trying to argue about taste is no sign of intelligence, and the way you’re doing it is even less so. Personally, I couldn’t care less what you think about Karaoke comparisons, I’d prefer that you’d talk about our issue on hand instead. Don’t draw crude analogies which don’t wash.
http://sorenara.ikimashou.net/2007/04/23/spring-2007-filler-...
Traditionally the courts accept the right to a counterattack. Anyone, who is fiercely attacked, may answer with a fierce attack. A German proverb says: "Auf einen groben Klotz gehört ein grober Keil." (A crude chunk requires a crude wedge)
http://tinyurl.com/2hgwff
Well Owen, I’ve tried to be polite and seriously explain things to you, but I guess “auf einen groben Klotz gehört ein grober Keil”, as a German saying goes.
Trying to argue about taste is no sign of intelligence, and the way you’re doing it is even less so. Personally, I couldn’t care less what you think about Karaoke comparisons, I’d prefer that you’d talk about our issue on hand instead. Don’t draw crude analogies which don’t wash.
http://sorenara.ikimashou.net/2007/04/23/spring-2007-filler-...
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Paul Cohen
: I know you're a woodworker, Kim, but what is a "crude log" anyway? Is that the kind of log that uses swear words like "bark me!" or "up your willow!" or "son of a birch!" ? ;-)
1 hr
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Yes, awkward metaphor.
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+1
23 hrs
Bernhard Sulzer
United States
United States
Native in German
Specializes in field
United States
High quality at a reasonable price
Native in: German
Works in: English to German, German to English, German, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
55
to split a log you must (really) hit the log
since I did wreck my brain a little, I'll post it anyway:
to split a (tough) log apart, you must hit it really hard
to split a/the log, just hit the log
hit the log to split the log
to split a/the log you must (really) hit the log
tough language calls for tough talk
no holds barred in a rough game
when attacked the gloves come off
to split a (tough) log apart, you must hit it really hard
to split a/the log, just hit the log
hit the log to split the log
to split a/the log you must (really) hit the log
tough language calls for tough talk
no holds barred in a rough game
when attacked the gloves come off
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Craig Meulen
: nice ideas. the one with 'just' doesn't work, but i like the hit/split sound. Or, what about: for a tough log you need (to go) the whole hog !
4 hrs
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thanks, Craig. yes, wenn schon, denn schon.
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