Talk:Lorenz Diefenbach

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Title of novel inspired by "Faust part II" ending?

Latest comment: 3 years ago1 comment1 person in discussion

Wasn't Diefenbach's novel's title "Arbeit macht frei" from 1873 inspired by Goethe's "Faust" ending in which Faust essentially discovers work as a real way to work which also helps to save his soul?

Eröffn' ich Räume vielen Millionen,
Nicht sicher zwar, doch tätig-frei zu wohnen.
[...]
Das ist der Weisheit letzter Schluß:
Nur der verdient sich Freiheit wie das Leben,
Der täglich sie erobern muß.
Und so verbringt, umrungen von Gefahr,
Hier Kindheit, Mann und Greis sein tüchtig Jahr.
Solch ein Gewimmel möcht' ich sehn,
Auf freiem Grund mit freiem Volke stehn.

which according to one of available translations https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/German/FaustIIActV.php translates to:

Let me make room for many a million,
Not wholly secure, but free to work on.
[...]
The last word Wisdom ever has to say:
He only earns his Freedom and Existence,
Who’s forced to win them freshly every day.
Childhood, manhood, age’s vigorous years,
Surrounded by dangers, they’ll spend here.
I wish to gaze again on such a land,
Free earth: where a free race, in freedom, stand.

--Helias (talk) 07:03, 1 January 2021 (UTC)Reply

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