“No translation can expect to equal, much less to excel, the original. The excellence of a translation can only be judged by noting how far it has succeeded in reproducing the original tone, colors, style, the delicacy of sentiment, the force of inert strength, the peculiar expressions native to the language with which the original is written, or whatever is its marked characteristic. Strictly speaking, the only way one can derive full benefit or enjoyment from a foreign work is to read the original, for any intelligence at second-hand never gives the kind of satisfaction which is possible only through the direct touch with the original."
An excerpt of translator note found in the few pages before the first chapter of Soseki Natsume, “Botchan". The passage was registered in my mind first while I'm on my way home from campus, hearing it as audiobook. As my eyes glared away to the breathtaking rice field horizon, I pondered in silence about how it bear a similarity of the meaning in between the lines by the translator with my perception of 'Expectation'.
Having living as a human ourselves, we already came to realize without much effort, the fact that each of us has our own desire, dreams and goals. What may seem as being in the same path doesn't guarantee a unification of intention by both parties. Thus, implementing trust to others in hoping that the person also possess the same enthusiastic attitude toward the task itself is rather.. unrealistic. Just like when first impression is not always right. We make up a story in mind from the first impression, and because of that, we either like or hate someone by ourselves telling so, unknowingly the full extent of that someone's behavior.
We wouldn't be able to read someone's mind, and even if we are able to, it will only bring more adverse casualties. Even so, translating passion from our mind to others also won't produce the exact same awareness. The ineffable expression would only amounted in abundance solely in our world, looping eternally as long as the interest keep blazing. What felt as special for us does not necessarily struck a match with others.
So, I think being selfish is not always wrong, given a boundary of definition that we actually meant, sometimes working alone is the perfect methodology in order to get things right. In solitary, a furnace of desire to perfection is being made, unaffected by even a faintest impurity that might be caused by an intervention of other hand that doesn't fully grasp the grand ideal blueprint. Sure, it means taking more time, but thinking about the final quintessential satisfaction is not a bad idea, either.
Hoping to much will kill, as while we are busy worrying for an expectation, the world still spinning in negligence of our problem. In the end, we use our own hand to feed ourselves.