Go, son, you're old enough,
you're emancipated;
you need to travel the world,
learn a bit about everything.
you're emancipated;
you need to travel the world,
learn a bit about everything.
Go, son, but be prudent,
listen to the advice of people
who can advise you;
be modest and delicate...
in speaking little and correctly
there's always much to gain.
If you reap some glory,
don't boast without reason:
sometimes one listens to a fool
through mere contemplation.
Listen to the indifferent.
Friends and relatives
don't tell the whole truth.
Now, on your path,
my affection is not enough for you,
nor all my friendship.
If you hear sensible suggestions,
pay them full attention;
don't listen to fools
nor provoke discussion.
Respect the beliefs of others;
but keep your own ideas
and correct your own faults.
In the school of society,
he studies, he learns the truth
in the suggestions of his chosen ones.
Go, son, may God be with you.
Of the letters in the vast world,
very few float aloft,
with most sinking to the bottom.
Ah! in this extreme moment,
it is for you, son, that I tremble!
heed my advice...
It is already time to leave;
with you goes my life,
but leave... go... son, farewell.
António Corrêa (19th century) Brazil
Translated by Google translate and Bruce Levitan
Source: Scenas da Roça: Poema de costumes nacionaes, Typ. da Gazeta de Noticas, 1879 [Project Gutenberg]
listen to the advice of people
who can advise you;
be modest and delicate...
in speaking little and correctly
there's always much to gain.
If you reap some glory,
don't boast without reason:
sometimes one listens to a fool
through mere contemplation.
Listen to the indifferent.
Friends and relatives
don't tell the whole truth.
Now, on your path,
my affection is not enough for you,
nor all my friendship.
If you hear sensible suggestions,
pay them full attention;
don't listen to fools
nor provoke discussion.
Respect the beliefs of others;
but keep your own ideas
and correct your own faults.
In the school of society,
he studies, he learns the truth
in the suggestions of his chosen ones.
Go, son, may God be with you.
Of the letters in the vast world,
very few float aloft,
with most sinking to the bottom.
Ah! in this extreme moment,
it is for you, son, that I tremble!
heed my advice...
It is already time to leave;
with you goes my life,
but leave... go... son, farewell.
António Corrêa (19th century) Brazil
Translated by Google translate and Bruce Levitan
Source: Scenas da Roça: Poema de costumes nacionaes, Typ. da Gazeta de Noticas, 1879 [Project Gutenberg]
NB: not to be confused with Portuguese poet António Corrêa de Oliveira (1879 – 1960)
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