Try to find out what this means: La cobardía (extremely controversial)
Hi everybody
I have been wondering whether to post this text, a very personal view by José Luis Alvite, one of my favourites, master of similes, as this view is extremely controversial.
After translating the text, I would like to talk about this topic. Most likely you will not like or share this writer's opinion. It will be interesting to talk about.
Some weeks ago a Spanish soldier of Colombian origin died in Afghanistan, this is probably the most risky opinion on this sad issue.
Anybody welcome, but this thread is aimed at upper intermediate or advanced students.
La cobardía
Ya hace muchos años que perdí la inocencia, así que no me importa reconocer que lo único que encuentro decente en las guerras es la cobardía. Descontando que haya servido de pretexto para unas cuantas novelas espléndidas y para algunas magníficas películas, la valentía es a menudo un subproducto de la inteligencia, una emoción irracional que lleva a los hombres a tomar decisiones en las que la razón le cede su sitio a la audacia. A los soldados se les caliente la cabeza hablándoles de esfuerzo e ideales en los cuarteles, donde reciben instrucción sobre cómo jugarse la vida en nombre de la patria, ese ente profesional al que muchos jóvenes se entregan a cambio de dinero.
En las listas de bajas registradas en Afganistán raras veces asoman los apellidos de los ricos, seguramente porque la solvencia es enemiga de la temeridad, de modo que los ricos sólo en contadas ocasiones se juegan la vida comiendo las ostras sin olerlas. El último soldado muerto al servicio de España es un muchacho colombiano del que me atrevo a pensar que se había enrolado en las Fuerzas Armadas porque comprendió que la valentía era una manera como otra cualquiera de llevarse algo de comida a la boca. ¿Un idealista? Sinceramente, no lo creo. Si acaso, una víctima de la edad, un valiente fisiológico, alguien sin la experiencia suficiente para comprender que en los tiempos que corren para lo que verdaderamente se necesita valor no es para pregonar la audacia, sino para confesar la cobardía.
Por desgracia, ese sentido de la utilidad de las emociones se adquiere tarde, cuando toda la lotería está sorteada y comprendes que la valentía sólo es útil en el caso extremo de que el riesgo de perder la vida te compense del peligro de salvarla.
17 Answers
Obviously not a word for word translation, but here goes nothing:
Cowardice
It’s already been quite some time since I lost my innocence, so it doesn’t bother me to admit that the only decent concept that I find regarding wars is the cowardice. Aside from the fact that it has served as a pretext for a few splendid novels and for some magnificent movies, bravery is often a useless byproduct of intelligence, an irrational emotion that leads men to make decisions in which reason cedes its rightful place to defiant foolhardiness. The soldiers get stirred up about hard work and noble ideals within their barracks, where they receive training on how to risk life and limb in the name of their country: that professional entity which many youths surrender themselves to in exchange for a few bucks.
In the list of fallen recruits in Afghanistan, seldom seldom the names of the rich show,, surely because recklessness is directly proportional to an ability to pay ones debts, so that the rich only risk their lives once in a blue moon when, out of arrogant feelings of invincibility, they decide to indulge in reckless behavior. The latest soldier to die in the name of Spain is a Columbian fellow who I daresay had likely enlisted in the Armed Forces because he knew that bravery was as good a way as any to put food on the table. An idealist? Truly, I think not. Perhaps, a victim of his own youth and inexperience, a courageous specimen, someone without enough wisdom to understand that in the times in which it is considered truly necessary to run, true valor is not in boisterously proclaiming your courage but rather in confessing your cowardice.
Unfortunately, that understanding regarding the utility of emotions is acquired altogether too late, once your number is called, and your ticket has been punched, only then do you understand that courage is only useful in extreme cases where the risk of losing your life is balanced out by the danger inherent in saving it.
Wow, realmente muy polémico el tema, pero sobre todo, delicado en esta parte del mundo donde tantas familias son afectadas por la guerra en Oriente medio. Escuché a muchos aquí hablar de la triste realidad de los pobres de este país, que muchas veces elijen unirse a las fuerzas armadas por no tener otra opción a nivel laboral y educacional. Tambien es notable observar que ningun hijo de politico o empresario importante está unido a las fuerzas armadas y muchos menos son los que mueren en batalla. Esto me da a entender que la idea de patriotismo y de dar la vida por la patria no esta muy aceptado en las clases altas de este país, o mejor dicho, tienen un entendimiento muy distinto de la diferencia entre amar tu patria y sobrevivir en un mundo comandado por la avaricia y el deseo de poder. Es cierto, en EEUU los que mueren en batalla son los pobres, los hijos de inmigrantes, inmigrantes que quieren legalizar su estatus migratorio y los que no tienen acceso a una educación Universitaria.
Cowardice
It’s been many years now since I lost my innocence, so many that I don’t mind admitting that the only decent thing that I find in war is cowardice. Aside from the fact that it has served as an excuse for several splendid novels and for some magnificent movies, bravery is often a by-product of intelligence, an irrational emotion that leads men to make decisions in which good sense is replaced by boldness. They stir up the soldiers by talking to them about strength and ideals in the barracks, where they receive instructions about how to gamble their lives in the name of their country, that professional institution which many young men devote themselves to in exchange for money.
In the lists of fallen enlistees in Afghanistan it’s rare to find the names of the rich, surely because solvency is the enemy of recklessness, so that the rich only gamble their lives on rare occasions eating oysters without smelling them first. The last soldier to die in the service of Spain was a Columbian boy who I dare think had enlisted in the Armed Forces because he’d learned that bravery was a way like any other to put some food in his mouth. An idealist? Sincerely, I think not. In any case, a victim of age, a brave physiologist, someone without sufficient experience to understand that in the times that pass in which bravery is really needed, it’s not needed to announce boldness but to confess cowardice.
Unfortunately, that sense of what emotions are useful for is acquired late, when all the cards are on the table and you understand that bravery is only useful in the extreme case in which the risk of losing your life is worth the danger to save it.
Great exercise, Heidita. Thanks for posting it.
Cowardice.
It's been many years since I lost my innocence, such that it doesn't bother me to recognize that the only thing I find decent in war is cowardice. Aside from having served as a pretext for a few splendid novels and some magnificent movies, bravery is often a subproduct of intelligence, an irrational emotion that carries men to make decisions in which reason yields to audacity. They work up the soldiers, speaking to them about strength and ideals in their barracks, where they receive instructions on how to risk their lives in the name of their homeland, that professional entity to which many young ones surrender themselves in exchange for money.
In the registered lists of the fallen in Afghanistan rarely do they show the last names of the rich, surely because solvency is the enemy of recklessness in the way that the rich, only in a few occasions, risk their lives by eating oysters without smelling them first. The latest fallen soldier of Spain is a Colombian boy who I dare to think had enlisted in the Armed Forces because he understood that bravery was a way like any other to bring some food to his table. An idealist? Sincerely, I do not think so. If perhaps, a victim of age, a physiologically brave one, someone without the sufficient experience to understand that in the times that we live in, what bravery is truly necessary for is not to extol audacity, but rather to confess cowardice.
Unfortunately, this feeling of the utility of emotions is acquired late, when everything is said and done and you understand that bravery is useful only in the extreme case of when risking your life offsets the danger of saving it.
Cowardice
Many years ago I lost my innocence, so it no longer troubles me to recognize that the only decent thing in war is cowardice. Even though it has served as a pretext for many splendid novels and for some magnificent movies, courage is often a sub-product of intelligence, an irrational emotion that causes men to make decisions in which reason gives way to audacity. In the barracks where they receive instructions on how to risk their lives in the name of their homeland, solders minds are inflamed by speaking to them about power and ideals, among that professional body into which many youth enter in exchange of money.
Rarely are found among the enlistees in Afghanistan the surnames of the rich, certainly because wealth is the antithesis of temerity, so the rich only risk their lives when they indulge themselves in risky pleasures. The latest soldier to die in the service of Spain is a Colombian lad that I dare think had enlisted in the armed forces because he understood that courage was as good a way as any other to put food on his plate. An idealist? I really don’t think so. At best, a victim of the age, a courageous physiology, someone not sophisticated enough to understand that the times that truly demand courage don’t need a proclamation of audacity, but rather an admission of cowardice.
Unfortunately, those useful emotions come late, after the die is cast, and you understand that courage is only useful in the extreme case that the risk of losing your life is compensated by the danger of saving it.
La cobardía
Ya hace muchos años que perdí la inocencia, así que no me importa reconocer que lo único que encuentro decente en las guerras es la cobardía. Descontando que haya servido de pretexto para unas cuantas novelas espléndidas y para algunas magníficas películas, la valentía es a menudo un subproducto de la inteligencia, una emoción irracional que lleva a los hombres a tomar decisiones en las que la razón le cede su sitio a la audacia. A los soldados se les caliente la cabeza hablándoles de esfuerzo e ideales en los cuarteles, donde reciben instrucción sobre cómo jugarse la vida en nombre de la patria, ese ente profesional al que muchos jóvenes se entregan a cambio de dinero.
En las listas de bajas registradas en Afganistán raras veces asoman los apellidos de los ricos, seguramente porque la solvencia es enemiga de la temeridad, de modo que los ricos sólo en contadas ocasiones se juegan la vida comiendo las ostras sin olerlas. El último soldado muerto al servicio de España es un muchacho colombiano del que me atrevo a pensar que se había enrolado en las Fuerzas Armadas porque comprendió que la valentía era una manera como otra cualquiera de llevarse algo de comida a la boca. ¿Un idealista? Sinceramente, no lo creo. Si acaso, una víctima de la edad, un valiente fisiológico, alguien sin la experiencia suficiente para comprender que en los tiempos que corren para lo que verdaderamente se necesita valor no es para pregonar la audacia, sino para confesar la cobardía.
Por desgracia, ese sentido de la utilidad de las emociones se adquiere tarde, cuando toda la lotería está sorteada y comprendes que la valentía sólo es útil en el caso extremo de que el riesgo de perder la vida te compense del peligro de salvarla.
Cowardice
It has already been many years since I lost my innocence. Because of this, I am not ashamed to admit that cowardice is the one decent thing I identify with in war. Not including the contribution of a number of splendid novels and a few magnificient movies, courage is an insignificant by-product of intelligence. It is an irrational emotion that impells men to make decisions where reasoning gives place to audacity. Without consequences to themselves, soldiers work themselves up talking of ideals in their headquarters, where they recieve instructions about how to play with lives in the name of their country. The country acts as a professional organization in which young men enter in exchange for money.
In the general enlistment in Afghanistan, rarely does the last name of a wealthy young man pop up. Surely this is the case because good character, not wealth, is an enemy of fear! Rich people have a way of playing Russian Roulette with lives. The last soldier that died in the service of Spain was a Colombian boy who, I would dare to say, had enrolled in the Armed Forces because he understood that courage was the way, like no other, to put food on the table. Was he an idealist? I really don't think so. In this case, he was a victim of his age, phsycologically courageous, someone without sufficient experience to understand that in the times we live in, truth be told, we don't need courage to prove our bravery, but courage to confess our cowardice.
Unfortunately, he aquired too late in life the significance of the usefulness of emotions. When everything has been added up, and you understand that courage is only an extreme tool that puts your life at stake, you are willing to compensate by giving up your courage to save your life.
Hmm, I just saw this. What fun! Here's mine.
I lost my innocence many many years ago so I have no problem recognising that the only quality I find in any way worthy in relation to warfare is cowardice. Quite apart from the fact that it has served as a pretext for a few splendid novels and some magnificent films, courage is, more often than not, a by-product of intelligence, an irrational emotion leading men to take decisions where reason is displaced in favour of foolhardiness. In barracks soldiers are stirred-up with talk of effort and ideals, trained to put their lives on the line for king and country, in that profession where many young people enlist for a pittance.We rarely come across the surnames of the wealthy in the casualty lists compiled in Afghanistan, for sure, solvency is the enemy of recklessness, in fact the rich risk their lives only on rare occasions such as eating oysters without first smelling them.
The latest soldier to die serving Spain is a Columbian boy who, I dare to imagine, joined up fully understanding that courage is one way amongst others of putting food on the table. An idealist? I sincerely doubt that. If anything, a victim of our times, physically brave but without experience enough to understand that in times like these what is sorely needed is a courage which confesses cowardice rather than preaching valour. Unfortunately, this sense of the value of emotions is acquired later once the die has already been cast and you understand that courage has no value unless in those extreme life and death cases where putting ones life in peril is balanced against the hazard of saving it.Cowardice
It's already been many years since I lost my innocence, so it doesn't bother me to recognize that the only decent thing I find in war is cowardice. Discounting that war has served as a pretext for a few splendid novels and for some magnificent movies, courage is often a subproduct of intelligence, an irrational emotion that men use to make decisions rather than reasoning. Soldiers become heated talking about effort and ideals in the barracks, where they recieve instructions on how to play with their lives in the name of their country- that professional entity to which many young deliver themselves for money.
In the lists of casualties in Afghanistan it is rare that the names of the rich appear, surely because the ability to pay is the enemy of boldness. The rich only in a few instances play with their lives recklessly- like eating oysters without smelling them. The latest dead soldier in the service of Spain is a Columbian boy of whom I dare to think enlisted in the Armed Forces because he understood that valor was a way to feed oneself. An idealist? Sincerely, I don't think so. Perhaps, a victim of his age- a strong body, someone without sufficient experience to comprehend that in these times, valor is not used to proclaim audacity, but rather to confess cowardice.
Unfortunately, this attitude of the use of emotions has been acquired late, when all the lottery is over and you understand that courage is only useful in the extreme case when your life is at risk and you must confront danger in order to save yourself.
Alba, welcome again on board This is a wonderful translation tooGood job, alba!
Cowardice
It’s been many years now since I lost my innocence, so many that I don’t mind admitting that the only decent thing that I find in war is cowardice. Aside from the fact that it has served as an excuse for several splendid novels and for some magnificent movies, bravery is often a by-product of intelligence, an irrational emotion that leads men to make decisions in which good sense is replaced by boldness. They stir up the soldiers by talking to them about strength and ideals in the barracks, where they receive instructions about how to risk their lives in the name of their country/patriotism, that professional entity which many young men devote themselves to in exchange for money.
In the lists of fallen enlistees in Afghanistan it’s rare to find the names of the rich, surely because solvency is the enemy of recklessness, so that the rich only gamble their lives on rare occasions eating oysters without smelling them first. The last soldier to die in the service of Spain was a Columbian boy who I dare think had enlisted in the Armed Forces because he’d learned that bravery was a way like any other to put some food in his mouth. An idealist? Sincerely, I think not. Perhaps a victim of age, a brave physiologist, someone without sufficient experience to understand that in the times we are living that pass in which bravery is really needed, it’s not needed to announce boldness but to confess cowardice.
Unfortunately, that sense of what emotions are useful for is acquired late, when all the cards are on the table and you understand that bravery is only useful in the extreme case in which the risk of losing your life is worth the danger to save it.
If you have any more questions, any grammar you don't quite get....just let me know
I am accepting Izan's text, his translation was near perfection
I am posting the text on a new thread , where we can discuss the controversial opinion of this author.
thanks everybody
Some comments:
Descontando
In this case the word is used as "even though, even taking into cosideration...."
A los soldados se les calienta la cabeza hablándoles de esfuerzo e ideales en los cuarteles
Sorry, I am only just seeing there was a typo, not mine for a change, 
, I copied and pasted the text. It makes no difference though.
Probably the most difficult part. Some deduced that the soldiers themselves got all worked up over.... And no, it is the superiors who stir them up. The "hablándoles" is the clue, otherwise it well could have been the case.
jugarse la vida
Idiom for "risk your life"
listas de bajas
Bajas are always fallen soldiers.
llevarse algo de comida a la boca.
I think you don't usually say"put some food into your mouth" even though the sentence is correct. I would have chosen"put some food on the table"
Si acaso,
Perhaps, not Just in case here.
Unraveled, I am glad to see a new face on the thread Great , good job, unravel, I am happy you liked it and you got most of it
Cowardice
It's already been many years since I lost my innocence, so it doesn't bother me to recognize that the only decent thing I find in war is cowardice. Even though it has served as a pretext for a few splendid novels and for some magnificent movies, courage is often a subproduct of intelligence, an irrational emotion that men use to make decisions rather than reasoning.Solders minds are inflamed by speaking to them about effort and ideals in the barracks, where they recieve instructions on how to risk their lives in the name of their country- that professional entity to which many young deliver themselves for money. (great!)
In the lists of soldier casualties in Afghanistan it is rare that the names of the rich appear, surely because boldness is directly proportional to an ability to pay ones debts. The rich only in a few instances play with their lives recklessly- like eating oysters without smelling them. The latest dead soldier in the service of Spain is a Columbian boy of whom I dare to think enlisted in the Armed Forces because he understood that valor was a way to feed oneself. An idealist? Sincerely, I don't think so. Perhaps, a victim of his age- a strong body, someone without sufficient experience to comprehend that in these times, valor is not -- to proclaim audacity, but rather to confess cowardice.
Unfortunately, this attitude of the use of emotions is acquired too late, when everything has been added up and you understand that courage is only useful in the extreme case when your life is at risk and you must confront danger in order to save yourself.
Calvo viejo, nice to see you on my threads, this one was a softer killer, but anyway Wonderful job, Calvo, your understanding of the text has been near perfection, great
Cowardice
Many years ago I lost my innocence, so it no longer troubles me to recognize that the only decent thing in war is cowardice. Even though it has served as a pretext for many splendid novels and for some magnificent movies, courage is often a sub-product of intelligence, an irrational emotion that causes men to make decisions in which reason gives way to audacity. In the barracks where they receive instructions on how to risk their lives in the name of their homeland, solders minds are inflamed by speaking to them about power and ideals in the name of patriotism, that entity to which many youth devote their lives in exchange of money.
Rarely are found among the fallen enlistees in Afghanistan the surnames of the rich, certainly because wealth is the antithesis of temerity, so the rich only risk their lives when they indulge themselves in risky pleasures . (great!!) The latest soldier to die in the service of Spain is a Colombian lad that I dare think had enlisted in the armed forces because he understood that courage was as good a way as any other to put food on his plate. (great!!) An idealist? I really don’t think so. At best, a victim of the age, a courageous physiology, someone not sophisticated enough to understand that the times we live truly demand not to proclaim audacity, but rather an admission of cowardice.
Unfortunately, those useful emotions come late, after the die is cast, and you understand that courage is only useful in the extreme case that the risk of losing your life is compensated by the danger of saving it.
Izan, I can only say: I am in awe
Cowardice
It’s already been quite some time since I lost my innocence, so it doesn’t bother me to admit that the only decent concept that I find regarding wars is the cowardice. Aside from the fact that it has served as a pretext for a few splendid novels and for some magnificent movies, bravery is often a useless byproduct of intelligence, an irrational emotion that leads men to make decisions in which reason cedes its rightful place to defiant foolhardiness. The soldiers get brainwashed about hard work and noble ideals within their barracks, where they receive training on how to risk life and limb in the name of their country: that professional entity which many youths surrender themselves to in exchange for a few bucks. (great!!)
In the list of fallen recruits in Afghanistan, seldom the names of the rich show, surely because recklessness is directly proportional to an ability to pay ones debts, so that the rich only risk their lives once in a blue moon when, out of arrogant feelings of invincibility, they decide to indulge in reckless behavior.( 
perfect!! )The latest soldier to die in the name of Spain is a Columbian fellow who I daresay had likely enlisted in the Armed Forces because he knew that bravery was as good a way as any to put food on the table. An idealist? Truly, I think not. Perhaps, a victim of his own youth and inexperience, a courageous specimen, someone without enough wisdom to understand that in the times in which it is considered truly necessary to run, true valor is not in boisterously proclaiming your courage but rather in confessing your cowardice.
Unfortunately, that understanding regarding the utility of emotions is acquired altogether too late, once your number is called, and your ticket has been punched, only then do you understand that courage is only useful in extreme cases where the risk of losing your life is balanced out by the danger inherent in saving it.
