Remain silent!

Entrust yourself to the light of the stars

If your heart is overcome by a bitter pain!

They are close to you in the far distance,

When people right beside you are actually far away.

And if you still have tears,

Cry yourself out unseen!

But before the eyes of your fellow man,

Be as if no pain had ever touched you!

If, in blindness, the world damns you,

Then seek on quiet forest paths

New courage for your mission,

For strong faithfulness and free deeds;

In your breast you carry the victorious one

Who enables you to remain true in your own eyes,

But never let mankind see

How hard the battle that you must fight.

If you have succeeded at a fine undertaking,

Let it inspire you to a new work!

If you have gained a faithful beloved,

Recall that God created her/him for you.

If your sweetly enraptured soul

Is completely full of holy joy,

Oh do not choose the jealousy of your fellow man

As a witness of your happiness!

Boldly disdain the striving of selfishness,

No matter how often it swore to beset you;

Stand before no throne with trembling,

Fear is harboured only by a bad conscience.

Humbly in the quiet of night throw yourself

On your knees before your God

And pray: "May Thy will be done!"

But never bow down before men.

And if God's will sends you

The highest pain of the hardest trial,

Then you must turn completely to Him,

And let it be between Him and you alone!

Do not ever let your lips speak of it,

Even if your heart wants to break!

Let it break into a thousand pieces,

But be silent before mankind!