Ihr Kinder, lernet jetzt genug, / Ihr lernt nichts mehr in alten Zeiten—Ye children, learn enough now, nothing more will you be able to learn ere long. Pfeffel.
Ihr sagt es sei nichts als Glück / Zu siegen ohne die Tacktick / Doch besser ohne Tacktick siegen / Als mit derselben unterliegen—You say it is nothing but luck to gain a victory without tactics, yet it is better to conquer without them, than therewith to be beaten. Tyrolese Pr.
Ihr sucht die Menschen zu benennen, / 30 und glaubt am Namen sie zu kennen; / Wer tiefer sieht, gesteht sich frei, / Es ist das Anonymes dabei—Ye seek to name men, and think that ye know them by name; he who sees deeper will freely confess there is something in them which there is no name for. Goethe.
Il a inventé l'histoire—He has invented history. Mme. du Deffand, of Voltaire.
Il a la mer à boire—He has the sea to drink up, i.e., has undertaken an impossible task. Fr. Pr.
Il a la tête près du bonnet—He is of a passionate temper (lit. has his head near his cap). Fr. Pr.
Il a le diable au corps—The deuce (lit. the devil) is in him. Fr. Pr.
Il a le verbe haut—He assumes a high tone; he 35 has a loud voice. Fr. Pr.
Il a le vin mauvais—He is quarrelsome over his wine. Fr. Pr.
Il a les yeux à fleur de tête—He has prominent eyes. Fr. Pr.