3 ms·

I wouldn't translate that phrase as such, it's more of a play on the word "deve". Therefore, "must" or "owes". The meaning, in my view, is more akin to: "he wh

I wouldn't translate that phrase as such, it's more of a play on the word "deve". Therefore, "must" or "owes". The meaning, in my view, is more akin to: "he who fulfills his obligations and does not owe anything can live in peace because he has no creditors or anyone who demands reparation or compensation". This may pass as the same at first look, but it's more about doing what you've set out to do, rather than not worrying about what you haven't done. The key factor here is the verb "dever", it is about action not the lack thereof. (edit: clarifications) Source: European Portuguese native speaker

matheusmoreira 3y ago
Your detailed translation is correct. "Owes" is the verb used. In Brazil, that saying is often uttered in reaction to any resistance to government, police or legal activity. It's as though brazilians expect others to completely and willingly submit themselves to their microscope for inspection if the slightest doubt about their honesty is ever raised. Only someone who is not afraid would do so, and that way innocence is proven. Failure to do so implies you're afraid and therefore guilty. In other words, in Brazil everyone owes the government something. Even if it's just an explanation. It can decide to come and collect on that debt at any time. When the government comes knocking, it's up to you to prove that you're debt free and if you can't you deserve what's coming to you. That's how this society thinks. People think like that even though there are laws to the contrary. Police thinks like that. Government officials think like that. Here the government is too incompetent to determine whether you're alive or dead. So they make it your problem by making you prove that you're alive. Every year, my parents need to go to some government agency and literally prove that they're alive. If they don't, the government marks them as dead and cuts them off from their pensions. I pointed out to them the inherent indignity of this little yearly ritual. They did not understand what I was getting at. It's just how stuff works. Besides, how will the poor government figure out who's defrauding them? Clearly the only choice it has is to assume that everyone is defrauding it and force the innocent to prove their innocence or be punished with loss of benefits which are their right.

matheusmoreira 3y ago

Your detailed translation is correct. "Owes" is the verb used. In Brazil, that saying is often uttered in reaction to any resistance to government, police or legal activity. It's as though brazilians expect others to completely and willingly submit themselves to their microscope for inspection if the slightest doubt about their honesty is ever raised. Only someone who is not afraid would do so, and that way innocence is proven. Failure to do so implies you're afraid and therefore guilty. In other words, in Brazil everyone owes the government something. Even if it's just an explanation. It can decide to come and collect on that debt at any time. When the government comes knocking, it's up to you to prove that you're debt free and if you can't you deserve what's coming to you. That's how this society thinks. People think like that even though there are laws to the contrary. Police thinks like that. Government officials think like that. Here the government is too incompetent to determine whether you're alive or dead. So they make it your problem by making you prove that you're alive. Every year, my parents need to go to some government agency and literally prove that they're alive. If they don't, the government marks them as dead and cuts them off from their pensions. I pointed out to them the inherent indignity of this little yearly ritual. They did not understand what I was getting at. It's just how stuff works. Besides, how will the poor government figure out who's defrauding them? Clearly the only choice it has is to assume that everyone is defrauding it and force the innocent to prove their innocence or be punished with loss of benefits which are their right.