Undank ist der Welten Lohn

German

Alternative forms

• Undank ist der Welt Lohn

Etymology

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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Proverb

Undank ist der Welten Lohn

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