German composition

Section 159 The⁠ Way to Master the Temper1

A London (S. 157, N. 4) merchant, having⁠2 a dispute with a Quaker concerning a business account, determined⁠3 to institute a law-suit against him. Desirous of amicably settling⁠4 the matter, the Quaker called at the house of the merchant, when⁠5 the latter became so enraged that he vehemently⁠6 declared to his servant that he would (App. §§ 28 and 30) not see his opponent. “Well, friend,” said the Quaker quietly, “may⁠7 God put thee in a better mind.” The merchant was⁠8 subdued by the kindness of the reply, and, after careful consideration, became convinced that⁠9 he was wrong. He sent⁠10 for the Quaker, and⁠11 after making a humble apology, he asked: “How were you able to bear my abuse⁠11 with so much patience?” “Friend,” replied the Quaker, “I was naturally⁠12 as hot⁠13 and violent as thou art, but I knew that⁠14 to indulge my temper was sinful, and also very foolish. I observed that men in a passion always spoke very loud, and I thought that⁠15, if I could control my voice, I should keep down my passion. I therefore made⁠16 it a rule never to let it rise above a certain key; and by a careful observance of this rule I have, with the blessing of God⁠17, entirely mastered my⁠18 natural temper.”—Alcott.

Notes

1 Wie man seinen Zorn beherrschen kann.

2 Change ‘having’ into ‘had’; the object is best placed after ‘account’.

3 Supply ‘and’ before ‘determined’; to institute a law-suit against a person, einen gerichtlich belangen.

4 to settle a matter amicably, eine Sache auf gütliche Weise ordnen. Comp. S. 30, N. 4, and note that the Present Participle ‘being’ is understood at the commencement of this period.

5 = whereupon.

6 = emphatically, nachdrücklich.

7 Say ‘may God alter thy mind (Gesinnung, f.)’.

8 to be subdued, sich besiegt fühlen; by, durch.

9 ‘that — wrong’ may be briefly turned by ‘of his wrong’.

10 to send for a person, einen zu sich rufen lassen.

11 ‘and — asked’. This passage, literally translated, would be inelegant in German, say: ‘humbly begged his pardon, and asked then’. Abuse, Beleidigung, f.

12 von Natur.

13 = passionate.

14 = that it was sinful, etc.; to indulge one’s temper, seinem Zorn freien Lauf lassen.

15 = that I could (App. § 33) conquer my anger through mastering my voice (durch Beherrschung meiner Stimme).

16 We make it a rule never to let our voices rise beyond a certain key, wir machen es uns zur Regel, unsere Stimmen nie über eine gewisse Tonstärke hinaus zu erheben.

17 = with God’s help.

18 = my natural inclination to (zu) anger (S. 3, N. 2).