Bertolt Brecht

I’ve heard that you don’t want to learn

I’ve heard that you don’t want to learn

From that, I gather: you’re millionaires.

Your future is secured – it lies

Ahead of you in the light. Your parents

Have made sure that your feet

Won’t stumble upon any stones. You don’t need

To learn anything. Just the way you are

You can remain.

If there were to be difficulties,

Considering that the times

As I’ve heard, are uncertain,

You have your leaders, who tell you precisely

What you need to do to be well,

They’ve read up on those

Who know the truths

That have validity for all times,

And the recipes that always work.

When there are so many for you,

You don’t need to lift a finger.

Certainly, if it were different,

You would have to learn.