Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to interpret the following sentence:

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

I know a few meaning of the verb interfere such as:

• To be or create a hindrance or obstacle.
• To perform an act of interference.
• To intervene or intrude in the affairs of others; meddle.
• To cause interference.

For all that I got in a difficult position by translating the above sentence into my natural language. Will you help me to turn the corner?

Thank you in advance for your efforts.

Regards.

V.

 

[Anglika]

If you try to do something that you are not able to do [drive a car, for instance], it will interfere - prevent - you from doing what you can do [walk to the shops]

 

[vil]

Hi Anglika,

Thank you for your distinct interpretation of the sentence in question.

Unfortunately I am none the wiser for it. The part the preposition “with” played remains obscure. As I mentioned above in my previous post the verb “to intervene” may mean “to be or create a hindrance or obstacle” and “to intervene or intrude in the affairs of others; meddle”. When used in the meaning of “to be or create a hindrance or obstacle” , the verb is followed by the preposition “with”. e.g.

There is something interfering with the telephone connection. I can’t hear you.

When used in the meaning “to intervene or intrude in the affairs of others; meddle” , it is followed by the preposition “in”, e.g.

If he had not interfered in the argument, his friends might have had a serious quarrel.

Would you tell me some more about the above-mentioned?

Regards.

V.