Le temps ne fait rien à l'affaire

Georges Brassens, a celebrated French singer-songwriter known for his poetic and often satirical lyrics, delivers a timeless message in his song "Le temps ne fait rien à l'affaire." The song's title translates to "Time Doesn't Change a Thing," and it humorously explores the idea that foolishness is an inherent human trait, unaffected by age or experience. Brassens uses the term "con," a French slang word for a fool or idiot, to emphasize that stupidity is a universal and ageless condition.

In the lyrics, Brassens contrasts the perspectives of the young and the old. He points out that young people often view the older generation as fools, while the elderly reciprocate by considering the youth equally foolish. This cyclical pattern of mutual disdain highlights the absurdity of human nature. Brassens, who describes himself as being "between two ages," offers a neutral perspective, suggesting that neither youth nor age grants immunity from foolishness. His message is clear: "Quand on est con, on est con"—"When you're a fool, you're a fool," regardless of your age.

The song's playful yet poignant lyrics invite listeners to reflect on their own biases and the futility of generational conflicts. Brassens' clever wordplay and the repetitive structure of the song reinforce the idea that foolishness is a constant, unchanging aspect of humanity. By addressing both the "cons caducs" (old fools) and the "cons débutants" (young fools), Brassens underscores the universality of his message. The song serves as a humorous reminder that wisdom does not necessarily come with age, and that everyone, at some point, is susceptible to folly.