" Do not waste time " Translation exercise.

Question

Do not waste time , for that is the stuff that life is made of.

No pierde el tiempo para eso es la materia que la vida es hecho .

Please correct me . And feel free to proffer an opinion.

Thanks to Benjamin Franklin.

These old (new for me) threads are fun to go through amigo. Thanks for all your hard work. - 0095ca4c, Jan 11, 2014

Answer 1

My attempt: No desperdicia el tiempo, para eso es la cosa que la vida está hecha.

This is a good one Ray. There are lots of different Spanish words that could make this sentence right or wrong!

Nice challenge!

The language seams to come alive in different ways as the sentence moves around the meaning and the meaning becomes the words, I find it fascinating . - ray76, Mar 16, 2012

I spent a lot of time trying to translate yesterday's thoughts. Modifying the quote. Trying to streamline it, make it flow ...... all to no avail. Then Cordobesa gave a nearly literal translation that was flowing. Gives a good indication of how far my Spa - mcl020, Mar 16, 2012

nish skills are still of from really 'capturing'/'mastering'/'speaking' this beautiful language! - mcl020, Mar 16, 2012

Answer 2

A Persian Philosopher put it another way , although I will need help to translate this one.

Waste not your hour nor in the vain pursuit,

of this and that endeavour nor dispute ,

better be jocund with the fruitful grape,

than sadden after none nor bitter fruit.

My memory may be a little awry there , but it is pretty close after about 60 years.

It's a great verse. Are we talking about Kahlil Gibran? I happen to have 2 Spanish e-books of him. - mcl020, Mar 16, 2012

Thanks for the verse and quote ;-) - mcl020, Mar 16, 2012

It is ,Rubáyat of Omar Khayyám. , the 54th Stanza and i was pretty close, too for Fitzgeralds 4th translation. - ray76, Mar 16, 2012

Thanks! - mcl020, Mar 16, 2012

Answer 3

My try:
No pierda tiempo, porque esto es la materia de la cual la vida es hecha.

My opinion:
[Hahahaha .... Do you really want to know? I started writing it down, but it already is more of an essay than an answer. So: you have another hour of your valuable time?]
No, I'll give a more 'relaxed' opinion and that is: Mr. Benjamin Franklin's quote sure is food for a lot of thoughts

MC that is exactly what Ben said "our time is what our life is " Sp yes I nave all the time in the world to listen to you , but do try and waste my time in Spanish, even if just a little. - ray76, Mar 16, 2012