German composition

Section 17 The World Is a Looking-Glass

We⁠1 may be pretty certain that persons⁠2 whom all the world treat ill, deserve entirely⁠3 the treatment they⁠4 get. The world is a looking-glass, and gives⁠5 back to every man the reflection of his own face. Frown⁠6 at it, and⁠7 it will in turn look sourly upon you; laugh⁠8 at it and with it, and⁠9 it is a jolly, kind companion⁠10.—W. M. Thackeray.

Notes

1 We — certain. Wir können uns ziemlich sicher darauf verlassen.

2 persons — ill = those who have to suffer from everybody.

3 vollkommen.

4 they get, welche ihnen zuteil wird.

5 to give back the reflection = to reflect, zurück´werfen; every man, jeder; face = image.

6 to frown at a person, here ‘einen mürrisch an´blicken’; use the second pers. sing.

7 and — you, und sie wird auch auf dich verdrießlich hernie´derschauen.

8 ‘Laugh at it’ seems to be used here in the sense of: ‘Smile at it’. Say: ‘Smile at it, laugh with it’, etc. ‘To smile at a person’, here ‘einen freundlich an´blicken’.

9 ‘and — is’, say: ’and it will be for thee (dir)’.

10 Gefährtin.