Undank ist der Welten Lohn

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German

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Literally, ungratefulness is the reward of the world. The form Welten, here, is not a plural but an archaic genitive singular. Compare Dutch ondank is 's werelds loon, Swedish otack är världens lön, Danish utak er de armes løn.

Pronunciation

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  • Audio:(file)

Proverb

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Undank ist der Welten Lohn

  1. good deeds for the sake of others are unlikely to be met with gratitude, but are nevertheless honorable