GR translation: The physical grace to keep it working

Mark Kohut mark.kohut at gmail.com
Fri Apr 22 05:01:50 CDT 2016


I do not know how it might matter for translation but I think the estimable MOrris is wrong by about 180 degrees here. I think the word physical before grace signals a non-religious meaning--unlike most of TRP's uses of the word " grace".

I think it means an athletic like coordination. See the move to Dumbo flying in he text. 

One definition from a Google Books search is graciousness ( in movement). In another book, The Letters of FS Fitzgerald, he uses the phrase in a letter to a ( young) woman who he thinks has bad posture and also  can't dance well. another cited usage comes from a book on Goethe and his culture, from a Schiller essay evidently. 



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> On Apr 22, 2016, at 4:10 AM, Mike Jing <gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Understood.  Thanks, Robert and David.
> 
>> On Thu, Apr 21, 2016 at 3:15 PM, David Morris <fqmorris at gmail.com> wrote:
>> This is a really big and deep topic, but let's keep it as simple as we can with this passage of GR.
>> 
>> I think the usage of "grace" here is most related to the religious definition: "unmerited divine assistance given humans."  Adding "physical" makes it something manifested into the world, not merely an internal condition.  And in this context it implies becoming, physically manifesting as, an agent (angel? prophet?) of God, even unwittingly so:  "A-and it doesn’t even matter why we’re doing this, either. Rocky? Yeah, what we need isn’t right reasons, but just that grace."
>> 
>> David Morris
>> 
>> http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grace
>> 
>> Full Definition of grace
>> 
>> 1a :  unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification.   b: a virtue coming from God.  c: a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace.
>> 
>> 2a :  approval, favor <stayed in his goodgraces>b archaic :  mercy, pardonc :  a special favor :  privilege <each in his place, by right, not grace, shall rule his heritage — Rudyard Kipling>d :  disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemencye :  a temporary exemption :  reprieve
>> 
>> 3a :  a charming or attractive trait or characteristicb :  a pleasing appearance or effect : charm <all the grace of youth — John Buchan>c :  ease and suppleness of movement or bearing
>> 
>> 4—used as a title of address or reference for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop
>> 
>> 5:  a short prayer at a meal asking a blessing or giving thanks
>> 
>> 6plural capitalized :  three sister goddesses in Greek mythology who are the givers of charm and beauty
>> 
>> 7:  a musical trill, turn, or appoggiatura
>> 
>> 8a :  sense of propriety or right <had the grace not to run for elective office — Calvin Trillin>b :  the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful
>> 
>>> On Thu, Apr 21, 2016 at 1:51 PM, Robert Mahnke <rpmahnke at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> "Physical" is not a word you would ordinarily see before "grace," and I think the juxtaposition doesn't change the latter so much as to try to make it more concrete, real.  Not sure the meaning would change much at all if "physical" were simply omitted.
>>> 
>>>> On Thu, Apr 21, 2016 at 3:33 AM, Mike Jing <gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> V741.27-34, P756.13-20   He went out socked Them right in the toilet privacy of Their banks. Who cares what he was thinking about, long as it didn’t get in the way? A-and it doesn’t even matter why we’re doing this, either. Rocky? Yeah, what we need isn’t right reasons, but just that grace. The physical grace to keep it working. Courage, brains, sure, O.K., but without that grace? forget it Do you—please, are you listening? This thing here works. Really does. It worked for me, but I’m out of the Dumbo stage now, I can fly without it. But you. Rocky. You . . . .”
>>>> 
>>>> What does "physical grace" refer to here?
>>> 
>> 
> 
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