"Don't count on anyone. You're not even loyal to your job anymore, if you're counting on someone. You no longer even do your job to the full, unconditionally, to the death, which your fate has entrusted you with, if you accept someone's help. There is no one to help you. No one can protect works, people, nations, at the last moment, no one can help, only the work, and the man, the nation itself. The same force that creates a work of art, builds a life, is the only force that can protect you. Therefore, it is best to remain alone. He who is truly, resolutely lonely, who does not cry in his soul for this loneliness, only he is strong. One must not be sentimental or hopeful. In the end you must die, know this. So what are you afraid of? What can you hope for? If you're faithful to your work, death can't do anything against you until you've finished your work. Know this, and be bravely alone.
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Author
Márai SándorAll Translations
All Translations
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Don't count on anyone. You're not even loyal to your job anymore, if you're counting on someone. You no longer even do your job to the full, unconditionally, to the death, which your fate has entrusted you with, if you accept someone's help. There is no one to help you. No one can protect works, people, nations, at the last moment, no one can help, only the work, and the man, the nation itself. The same force that creates a work of art, builds a life, is the only force that can protect you. Therefore, it is best to remain alone. He who is truly, resolutely lonely, who does not cry in his soul for this loneliness, only he is strong. One must not be sentimental or hopeful. In the end you must die, know this. So what are you afraid of? What can you hope for? If you're faithful to your work, death can't do anything against you until you've finished your work. Know this, and be bravely alone.
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Mert ne számíts te senkire. Már nem is vagy hűséges a munkádhoz, ha bárkire is számítsz. Már nem is végzed egészen, feltétlenül, életre-halálra munkád, mellyel sorsod megbízott, ha bárkinek segítségét elfogadod. Nincs senki, aki segíthet. Műveket, embereket, népeket utolsó pillanatban nem védhet meg senki, nem segíthet senki, csak a mű, s az ember, a nép maga maga. Ugyanaz az erő, mely megalkot egy művet, felépít egy életet, csak az tud megvédeni is. Ezért legokosabb egyedül maradni. Aki igazán, elszántan magányos, aki lelke mélyén nem sínyli ezt a magányt, csak ő az erős. Nem szabad érzelmesnek lenni, sem reménykedni. A végén meg kell halnod, tudjad ezt. Mitől félsz hát? Mit is remélhetsz? Ha munkádhoz hűséges vagy, a halál sem tehet ellened semmit, amíg munkád tető alá nem hoztad. Ezt tudjad, s maradj bátran magányos.
"Audio Recordings
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Nu te baza pe nimeni. Nici măcar nu mai ești loial slujbei tale, dacă te bazezi pe cineva. Nici măcar nu-ți mai faci treaba până la capăt, necondiționat, până la moarte, pe care ți-a încredințat-o soarta, dacă accepți ajutorul cuiva. Nu există nimeni care să te ajute. Nimeni nu poate proteja operele, oamenii, națiunile, în ultimul moment, nimeni nu poate ajuta, doar opera, și omul, națiunea însăși. Aceeași forță care creează o operă de artă, construiește o viață, este singura forță care vă poate proteja. De aceea, cel mai bine este să rămâi singur. Cel care este cu adevărat, hotărât singur, care nu plânge în sufletul său pentru această singurătate, doar el este puternic. Nu trebuie să fii sentimental sau plin de speranță. În cele din urmă trebuie să mori, să știi asta. Așadar, de ce vă temeți? Ce poți spera? Dacă ești credincios muncii tale, moartea nu poate face nimic împotriva ta până când nu ți-ai terminat munca. Să știi asta și să fii curajos și singur.
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