Nothing in the world is more ridiculous

Than man, because he is so presumptuous.

Just as if he wanted to plow the sky

With his nose, he always keeps it so high.

You think that it is the world that is faulty?

Haughty man, after all what makes you so haughty?

What do you think is shorter than a blink?

Your life, my friend, is not even a wink.

It comes and runs away in an instant,

It keeps the pillow of your cradle in one hand

While the cover of your coffin its other hand is holding.

Haughty man, after all what makes you so haughty?

What can you accomplish in a fleeting glance?

Conquer nations and people perchance?

You know what those are who can be conquered?

Nothing but pitifully weak and coward.

Ruling them brings only shame, not glory.

Haughty man, after all what makes you so haughty?

And what is the big name and glory you found?

It dies with you as you descend into the ground,

Or, as a guard dog it goes to your grave

And for a few centuries it will keep it safe.

But from famine and thirst it will perish slowly.

Haughty man, after all what makes you so haughty?

Your glory, your name how long will stay?

The country where you belong will also decay,

The place where your people have lived since who knows when

Was once a sea and may become the same again.

The whole world may end up as a vast void only.

Haughty man, after all what makes you so haughty?