Quote from Chè Guevara

Question

I saw a picture of a bicyclist in Cuba riding by a mural of Chè Gevara, with this quote: "La revolución - no se lleva en los labios para vivir de ella, se lleva en el corazón para murir por ella." I definitely understand the spirit of the quote, and I think I'm pretty close on the translation. The "de ella" is a little confusing, as I'd think it would translate as "of her".

Here is my translation: "The revolution - don't wear it on your lips in order to live of her (?), wear it on your heart in order to die for her."

(Please correct any errors. Gracias.)

I think you did pretty well, but I am not fluent yet. - sunshinzmommie, OCT 18, 2009

Answer 1

"Para vivir de ella" literally means "to live off her." I would keep to the "her" translation of "ella," Spanish being a Romance language.

Answer 2

I'm not really sure, but I would say: "The revolution: It's doesn't reside in the lips of those who live by it, but in the hearts of those who die for it".

Answer 3

Since,Mr Guevarra humanized the revolution,I thought that her was apropiate. He wrote ella (her) not esta (it).

It's the "de ella" that sounds awkward - I would have thought "por ella" - live for her vs live of her...??? - DR1960, OCT 19, 2009

Answer 4

"Her" refers back to la revolución. Ella should be translated to "it".

I like 'her' better :) more romantic - sunshinzmommie, OCT 18, 2009

I agree with you but some people are techicians-not that there is something wrong with that. - 00769608, OCT 19, 2009

Answer 5

don't wear it on your lips in order to live of her (?), wear it on your heart in order to die for her." do not carry it on your lips to live from herthe rest is ok

or one does not carry on the lips to live from her........etc

Answer 6

"La revolución -no se lleva en los labios para vivir de ella, se lleva en el corazón para murir por ella."

"The revolution - is not carried on the lips to live it , is carried in the heart to die for it ."

"morir." - Deanski, ABR 17, 2011

you should be an editor :) I also catch those typos when reading books, it drives me bonkers - theredqueen, ABR 17, 2011