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Mensch, mit dem höhere Gewalten spielen

English translation: a plaything of forces beyond our comprehension

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Mensch, mit dem höhere Gewalten spielen
English translation:a plaything of forces beyond our comprehension
Entered by: Yvonne Becker

20:59 Feb 4, 2007
German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
German term or phrase: Mensch, mit dem höhere Gewalten spielen
In a letter of Sigmund Freud to his son-in-law after his daughter died:

"...Ich glaube nur, weil wir nicht beisammen sind und in dieser elenden Zeit von Gefangenschaft nicht zueinander kommen können, so dass ich zu Dir nicht die Dinge sagen kann, die ich gegen Mutter u Geschwister wiederhole, dass es ein sinnloser brutaler Akt des Schicksals ist, der uns unsere Sphie geraubt hat, etwas, wobei man nicht anklagen und nachgrübeln kann, sondern das Haupt beugen muss unter dem Streich, als hilfloser, armer **Mensch, mit dem höhere Gewalten spielen**. Genug, sie war glücklich, so lange sie mit Dir lebte, trotz der schweren Zeiten, die in Eure kurze Ehe von 7 Jahren gefallen sind, und ihr Glück war Dir zu danken."

... a poor, helpless man in the hands of destiny / fate?
Yvonne Becker
Local time: 18:02
a plaything of forces beyond our comprehension
Explanation:


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 mins (2007-02-04 21:08:29 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://tinyurl.com/38drwt
Selected response from:

Lancashireman
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:02
Grading comment
I really like all the suggestions. Thanks a lot!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3a plaything of forces beyond our comprehension
Lancashireman
3 +2a person at the mercy of higher powers
Ingeborg Gowans (X)
3 +1"...human being toyed with by forces beyond his control..."
Joseph Tein
3human being controlled by higher powers
Sabine Hull


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
a plaything of forces beyond our comprehension


Explanation:


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 mins (2007-02-04 21:08:29 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://tinyurl.com/38drwt

Lancashireman
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:02
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 143
Grading comment
I really like all the suggestions. Thanks a lot!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Olga Cartlidge
4 hrs
agree  Beate Petersen
11 hrs
agree  Diana Loos: Very expressive!
18 hrs
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20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
a person at the mercy of higher powers


Explanation:
another way of putting it..

Ingeborg Gowans (X)
Canada
Local time: 19:02
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: German
PRO pts in category: 31

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  erika rubinstein
13 hrs
  -> danke, erika
agree  JSolis
21 hrs
  -> thanks, JSolis
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
human being controlled by higher powers


Explanation:
another thought

Sabine Hull
Local time: 18:02
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

11 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
"...human being toyed with by forces beyond his control..."


Explanation:
There are many possible ways to translate this. Given the preceding text ('sinnloser, brutaler Akt des Schicksals' and 'hilfloser armer Mensch') this rendition might fit the meaning even though it goes somewhat beyond the words of the selection.

Joseph Tein
United States
Local time: 15:02
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Karin Maack
8 hrs
  -> Danke Karin
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