"To avoid criticism, do nothing";Translation exercise ;Spanish/English ;All levels.

Question

Para evitar las críticas, no hacer nada, no decir nada, que no sea nada.

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.

Aristotle

Please correct my sentence, I am not sure of the subjunctive

One must first accept that avoiding criticism is the paramount position

Having done so are the next two steps correct , and will it necessarily result

in one being 'nothing'?

Please provide examples in both languages to explain this

:) - ian-hill, Feb 10, 2015

There are two ways, depending if it is in second person or impersonal. - txustaboy, Feb 10, 2015

1) Para evitar las críticas, no hagas nada, ni digas nada, (the last part for me has no literal translation in Spanish) - txustaboy, Feb 10, 2015

2) Para evitar las criticas, n hay que hacer nada, ni decir nada, ni ser nada (this last part also sounds strange in Spanish) - txustaboy, Feb 10, 2015

Hmm, is there a difference between "no hay que hacer nada" and "hay que NO hacer nada"? Like in English "you don't have to do it" =/= "you must not do it" - Manity, Feb 10, 2015

Answer 1

Or even better: Do something and ignore the criticism.

Aun mejor: Haz algo y ignora la crítica.

Answer 2

The apologists for and obfuscators about religious barbarism do something worse than nothing.

Los apologistas y ofuscatores sobre la barbarie religiosa hacen algo peor que nada.

You are right it is dreadful - porcupine7, Feb 10, 2015

Right on Capitano . - ray76, Feb 10, 2015

Answer 3

Si alguien se encoge y quisiera corresponder a todos, en este caso por supuesto su fracaso está seguro. Es imposible de gustar al mundo entero. Es necesario de luchar por tu opinión , aun si hay gente contra.

If someone is cowering and would like to correspond to all, in this case of course his defeat is certain. It is impossible to be liked by the whole world. It is necessary to fight for your opinion, even if the people are against it.

It is impossible "to" be liked by the whole world. is better porcu. :) - ian-hill, Feb 10, 2015

Thanks Ian - porcupine7, Feb 10, 2015

Great try porcu , did you mean ,= " even "if the people are against it ? - ray76, Feb 10, 2015

Thanks Ray - porcupine7, Feb 10, 2015

Answer 4

Ayer miré la película Hannah Arendt. Ella incurrió dura criticism, incluso amenazas de muerte, pero siguió expresando sus opiniones respecto a Eichmann y la naturaleza del mal. Admiro su coraje.

Yesterday I watched the movie Hannah Arendt. She incurred harsh criticism, even death threats, but nevertheless continued to express her opinions regarding Eichmann and the nature of evil. I admire her courage.

(Please correct my Spanish. Should I have used imperfect instead of preterite in the second sentence?)

Answer 5

Also, doing nothing can draw criticism as well.

Tambien hacerse nada pueda suscitar las criticas.

Answer 6

Mientras en las agonías de forcejeo o cambios es difícil ver el camino correcto, mientras que nuestros amigos saben exactamente lo que debe hacerse.

Las correciones a mi español son apreciadas.

While in the throes of struggle or changes, it is difficult to see the correct way out, whereas our friends know exactly what should be done.

Answer 7

A veces si las optiones no son claras, no hacer nada es mejor hasta que lo que se deba hacer sea evidente...

Sometimes if the options are not clear, doing nothing is preferable until the right course of action becomes obvious...