Hávamál is a group of poems from the book 'Snorra Edda'. They are at least 1000 years old, and have probably begun much earlier, as a part of an oral tradition. The name Hávamál means the words of the high one, the Norse god Óðinn (Othin).
In my opinion there is very little religious or heathen in Hávamál's message. Just lots of pure, timeless, common-sense.
I have typed in the first part, Gestaþáttur (Guest's Chapter). each of the 77 verses contains some wisdom or advice for the human race.
I include two English translations that I've found online. Each has it's strengths and weaknesses (as is common with translations) but together they give you a pretty good idea of the meaning and feeling of the Icelandic original.
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Hávamál - Gestaþáttur From the book Eddukvæði, Ólafur Briem, Skálholt, 1968, Reykjavík. Believed to be under copyright |
Hávamál - Wisdom for Wanderers and Counsel to Guests The Elder or Poetic Edda, edited and translated by Olive Bray (London: Printed for the Viking Club, 1908), pp. 61-111. Believed to be in the public domain. See also: Full version online. |
Havamal - Guest's Chapter W.H.Auden & P.B.Taylor translation. Believed to be in the public domain. Source Rob Goodson. |
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1. Gáttir allar, áður gangi fram, um skoðast skyli, um skyggnast skyli, því óvíst er að vita, hvar óvinir sitja á fleti fyrir. |
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At every door-way, ere one enters, one should spy round, one should pry round for uncertain is the witting that there be no foeman sitting, within, before one on the floor |
1. The man who stands at a strange threshold, Should be cautious before he cross it, Glance this way and that: Who knows beforehand what foes may sit Awaiting him in the hall? |
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2. Gefendur heilir. Gestur er inn kominn, hvar skal sitja sjá? Mjög er bráður, sá er á bröndum skal síns um freista frama. |
2. Hail, ye Givers! a guest is come; say! where shall he sit within? Much pressed is he who fain on the hearth would seek for warmth and weal. |
2. Greetings to the host, The guest has arrived, In which seat shall he sit? Rash is he who at unknown doors Relies on his good luck. |
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3. Elds er þörf, Þeim er inn er kominn og á kné kalinn; matar og voða er manni þörf, þeim er hefir um fjall farið. |
3. He hath need of fire, who now is come, numbed with cold to the knee; food and clothing the wanderer craves who has fared o'er the rimy fell. |
3. Fire is needed by the newcomer Whose knees are frozen numb; Meat and clean linen a man needs Who has fared across the fells. |
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4. Vatns er þörf, þeim er til verðar kemur, þerru og þjóðlaðar, góðs um æðis, ef sér geta mætti, orðs og endurþögu. |
4. He craves for water, who comes for refreshment, drying and friendly bidding, marks of good will, fair fame if 'tis won, and welcome once and again. |
4. Water, too, that he may wash before eating, Handcloth's and a hearty welcome, Courteous words, then courteous silence That he may tell his tale. |
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5. Vits er þörf, þeim er víða ratar; dælt er heima hvað. Að augabragði verður, sá er ekki kann og með snotrum situr. |
5. He hath need of his wits who wanders wide, aught simple will serve at home; but a gazing-stock is the fool who sits mid the wise, and nothing knows. |
5. Who travels widely needs his wits about him, The stupid should stay at home: The ignorant man is often laughed at When he sits at meat with the sage. |
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6. Að hyggjandi sinni skyli-t maður hræsinn vera, heldur gætinn að geði. Þá er horskur og þögull kemur heimisgarða til, sjaldan verður víti vörum, því að óbrigðra vin fær maður aldregi en manvit mikið. |
6. Let no man glory in the greatness of his mind, but rather keep watch o'er his wits. Cautious and silent let him enter a dwelling; to the heedful comes seldom harm, for none can find a more faithful friend than the wealth of mother wit. |
6. Of his knowledge a man should never boast, Rather be sparing of speech When to his house a wiser comes: Seldom do those who are silent Make mistakes; mother wit Is ever a faithful friend. |
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7. Inn vari gestur, er til verðar kemur, þunnu hljóði þegir, eyrum hlýðir, en augum skoðar; svo nýsist fróðra hver fyrir. |
7. Let the wary stranger who seeks refreshment keep silent with sharpened hearing; with his ears let him listen, and look with his eyes; thus each wise man spies out the way. |
7. A guest should be courteous When he comes to the table And sit in wary silence, His ears attentive, his eyes alert: So he protects himself. |
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8. Hinn er sæll, er sér um getur lof og líknstafi. Ódælla er við það, er maður eiga skal annars brjóstum í. |
8. Happy is he who wins for himself fair fame and kindly words; but uneasy is that which a man doth own while it lies in another's breast. |
8. Fortunate is he who is favoured in his lifetime With praise and words of wisdom: Evil counsel is often given By those of evil heart. |
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9. Sá er sæll, er sjálfur um á lof og vit, meðan lifir; því að ill ráð hefur maður oft þegið annars brjóstum úr. |
9. Happy is he who hath in himself praise and wisdom in life; for oft doth a man ill counsel get when 'tis born in another's breast. |
9. Blessed is he who in his own lifetime Is awarded praise and wit, For ill counsel is often given By mortal men to each other. |
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10. Byrði betri ber-at maður brautu að en sé manvit mikið. Auði betra þykir það í ókunnum stað; slíks er volaðs vera. |
10. A better burden can no man bear on the way than his mother wit; 'tis the refuge of the poor, and richer it seems than wealth in a world untried. |
10. Better gear than good sense A traveller cannot carry, Better than riches for a wretched man, Far from his own home. |
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11. Byrði betri ber-at maður brautu að en sé manvit mikið; vegnest verra vegur-a hann velli að en sé ofdrykkja öls. |
11. A better burden can no man bear on the way than his mother wit: and no worse provision can he carry with him than too deep a draught of ale. |
11. Better gear than good sense A traveller cannot carry, A more tedious burden than too much drink A traveller cannot carry. |
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12. Er-a svo gott sem gott kveða öl alda sonum, því að færra veit er fleira drekkur, síns til geðs gumi. |
12. Less good than they say for the sons of men is the drinking oft of ale: for the more they drink, the less can they think and keep a watch o'er their wits. |
12. Less good than belief would have it Is mead for the sons of men: A man knows less the more he drinks, Becomes a befuddled fool. |
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13. Óminnishegri heitir sá er yfir öldrum þrumir; hann stelur geði guma. Þess fugls fjöðrum eg fjötraður vark í garði Gunnlaðar. |
13. A bird of Unmindfulness flutters o'er ale feasts, wiling away men's wits: with the feathers of that fowl I was fettered once in the garths of Gunnlos below. |
13. I-forget is the name men give the heron Who hovers over the fast: Fettered I was in his feathers that night, When a guest in Gunnlod's court. |
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14. Ölur eg varð, varð ofurölvi að ins fróða Fjalars. Því er öldur best, að aftur um heimtir hver sitt geð gumi. |
14. Drunk was I then, I was over drunk in that crafty Jötun's court. But best is an ale feast when man is able to call back his wits at once. |
14. Drunk I got, dead drunk, When Fjalar the wise was with me: Best is the banquet one looks back on after, And remembers all that happened. |
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15. Þagalt og hugalt skyli þjóðans barn og vígdjarft vera; glaður og reifur skyli gumna hver, uns sinn bíður bana. |
15. Silent and thoughtful and bold in strife the prince's bairn should be. Joyous and generous let each man show him until he shall suffer death. |
15. Silence becomes the Son of a prince, To be silent but brave in battle: It befits a man to be merry and glad Until the day of his death. |
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16. Ósnjallur maður hyggst munu ey lifa, ef hann við víg varast; en elli gefur honum engi frið, þótt honum geirar gefi. |
16. A coward believes he will ever live if he keep him safe from strife: but old age leaves him not long in peace though spears may spare his life. |
16. The coward believes he will live forever If he holds back in the battle, But in old age he shall have no peace Though spears have spared his limbs. |
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17. Kópir afglapi, er til kynnis kemur, þylst hann um eða þrumir. Allt er senn, ef hann sylg um getur, uppi er þá geð guma. |
17. A fool will gape when he goes to a friend, and mumble only, or mope; but pass him the ale cup and all in a moment the mind of that man is shown. |
17. When he meets friends, the fool gapes, Is shy and sheepish at first, Then he sips his mead and immediately All know what an oaf he is. |
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18. Sá einn veit, er víða ratar og hefir fjöld um farið, hverju geði stýrir gumna hver, sá er vitandi er vits. |
18. He knows alone who has wandered wide, and far has fared on the way, what manner of mind a man doth own who is wise of head and heart. |
18. He who has seen and suffered much, And knows the ways of the world, Who has travelled, can tell what spirit Governs the men he meets. |
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19. Haldi-t maður á keri, drekki þó að hófi mjöð, mæli þarft eða þegi; ókynns þess vár þig engi maður, að þú gangir snemma að sofa. |
19. Keep not the mead cup but drink thy measure; speak needful words or none: none shall upbraid thee for lack of breeding if soon thou seek'st thy rest. |
19. Drink your mead, but in moderation, Talk sense or be silent: No man is called discourteous who goes To bed at an early hour. |
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20. Gráðugur halur, nema geðs viti, etur sér aldurtrega; oft fær hlægis, er með horskum kemur, manni heimskum magi. |
20. A greedy man, if he be not mindful, eats to his own life's hurt: oft the belly of the fool will bring him to scorn when he seeks the circle of the wise. |
20. A gluttonous man who guzzles away Brings sorrow on himself: At the table of the wise he is taunted often, Mocked for his bloated belly. |
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21. Hjarðir það vitu, nær þær heim skulu, og ganga þá af grasi; en ósvinnur maður kann ævagi síns um máls maga. |
21. Herds know the hour of their going home and turn them again from the grass; but never is found a foolish man who knows the measure of his maw. |
21. The herd knows its homing time, And leaves the grazing ground: But the glutton never knows how much His belly is able to hold. |
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22. Vesæll maður og illa skapi hlær að hvívetna. Hittki hann veit, er hann vita þyrfti, að hann er-a vamma vanur. |
22. The miserable man and evil minded makes of all things mockery, and knows not that which he best should know, that he is not free from faults.
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22. An ill tempered, unhappy man Ridicules all he hears, Makes fun of others, refusing always To see the faults in himself. |
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23. Ósvinnur maður vakir um allar nætur og hyggur að hvívetna; þá er móður, er að morgni kemur, allt er víl sem var. |
23. The unwise man is awake all night, and ponders everything over; when morning comes he is weary in mind, and all is a burden as ever.
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23. Foolish is he who frets at night, And lies awake to worry' A weary man when morning comes, He finds all as bad as before. |
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24. Ósnotur maður hyggur sér alla vera viðhlæjendur vini. Hittki hann finnur, þótt þeir um hann fár lesi, ef hann með snotrum situr. |
24. The unwise man weens all who smile and flatter him are his friends, nor notes how oft they speak him ill when he sits in the circle of the wise.
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24. The fool thinks that those who laugh At him are all his friends, Unaware when he sits with wiser men How ill they speak of him. |
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25. Ósnotur maður hyggur sér alla vera viðhlæjendur vini; þá það finnur, er að þingi kemur, að hann á formælendur fáa. |
25. The unwise man weens all who smile and flatter him are his friends; but when he shall come into court he shall find there are few to defend his cause.
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25. The fool thinks that those who laugh At him are all his friends: When he comes to the Thing and calls for support, Few spokesmen he finds. |
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26. Ósnotur maður þykist allt vita, ef hann á sér í vá veru. Hittki hann veit, hvað hann skal við kveða, ef hans freista firar. |
26. The unwise man thinks all to know, while he sits in a sheltered nook; but he knows not one thing, what he shall answer, if men shall put him to proof.
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26. The fool who fancies he is full of wisdom While he sits by his hearth at home. Quickly finds when questioned by others. That he knows nothing at all. |
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27. Ósnotur maður, er með aldir kemur, það er best, að hann þegi. Engi það veit, að hann ekki kann, nema hann mæli til margt; veit-a maður, hinn er vætki veit, þótt hann mæli til margt. |
27. For the unwise man 'tis best to be mute when he come amid the crowd, for none is aware of his lack of wit if he wastes not too many words; for he who lacks wit shall never learn though his words flow ne'er so fast.
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27. The ignorant booby had best be silent When he moves among other men, No one will know what a nit-wit he is Until he begins to talk; No one knows less what a nit-wit he is Than the man who talks too much. |
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28. Fróður sá þykist, er fregna kann og segja ið sama. Eyvitu leyna megu ýta synir, því er gengur um guma. |
28. Wise he is deemed who can question well, and also answer back: the sons of men can no secret make of the tidings told in their midst.
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28. To ask well, to answer rightly, Are the marks of a wise man: Men must speak of men's deeds, What happens may not be hidden. |
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29. Ærna mælir, sá er æva þegir, staðlausu stafi; hraðmælt tunga, nema haldendur eigi, oft sér ógott um gelur. |
29. Too many unstable words are spoken by him who ne'er holds his peace; the hasty tongue sings its own mishap if it be not bridled in.
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29. Wise is he not who is never silent, Mouthing meaningless words: A glib tongue that goes on chattering Sings to its own harm. |
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30. Að augabragði skal-a maður annan hafa, þótt til kynnis komi; margur þá fróður þykist, ef hann freginn er-at og nái hann þurrfjallur þruma. |
30. Let no man be held as a laughing-stock, though he come as guest for a meal: wise enough seem many while they sit dry-skinned and are not put to proof.
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30. A man among friends should not mock another: Many believe the man Who is not questioned to know much And so he escapes their scorn. |
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31. Fróður þykist, Sá er flótta tekur, gestur að gest hæðinn; veit-a görla, sá er um verði glissir, þótt hann með grömum glami. |
31. A guest thinks him witty who mocks at a guest and runs from his wrath away; but none can be sure who jests at a meal that he makes not fun among foes.
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31. The wise guest has his way of dealing With those who taunt him at table: He smiles through the meal, Not seeming to hear The twaddle talked by his foes. |
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32. Gumnar margir erust gagnhollir, en að virði vrekast, aldar róg það mun æ vera, órir gestur við gest. |
32. Oft, though their hearts lean towards one another, friends are divided at table; ever the source of strife 'twill be, that guest will anger guest.
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32. The fastest friends may fall out When they sit at the banquet-board: It is, and shall be, a shameful thing When guest quarrels with guest. |
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33. Árliga verðar skyli maður oft fá, nema til kynnis komi: situr og snópir, lætur sem sólginn sé, og kann fregna að fáu. |
33. A man should take always his meals betimes unless he visit a friend, or he sits and mopes, and half famished seems, and can ask or answer nought.
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33. An early meal a man should take Before he visits friends, Lest, when he gets there, he go hungry, Afraid to ask for food. |
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34. Afhvarf mikið er til ills vinar, þótt á brautu búi, er til góðs vinar liggja gagnvegir, þótt hann sé firr farinn. |
34. Long is the round to a false friend leading, e'en if he dwell on the way: but though far off fared, to a faithful friend straight are the roads and short.
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34. To a false friend the footpath winds Though his house be on the highway. To a sure friend there is a short cut, Though he live a long way off. |
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35. Gaga skal, skal-a gestur vera ey í einum stað; ljúfur verður leiður, ef lengi situr annars fletjum á. |
35. A guest must depart again on his way, nor stay in the same place ever; if he bide too long on another's bench the loved one soon becomes loathed.
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35. The tactful guest will take his leave Early, not linger long: He starts to stink who outstays his welcome In a hall that is not his own. |
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36. Bú er betra, þótt lítið sé, halur er heima hver; þótt tvær geitur eigi og taugreftan sal, það er þó betra en bæn. |
36. One's own house is best, though small it may be; each man is master at home; though he have but two goats and a bark-thatched hut 'tis better than craving a boon.
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36. A small hut of one's own is better, A man is his master at home: A couple of goats and a corded roof Still are better than begging. |
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37. Bú er betra, þótt lítið sé, halur er heima hver; blóðugt er hjarta, þeim er biðja skal sér í mál hvert matar. |
37. One's own house is best, though small it may be, each man is master at home; with a bleeding heart will he beg, who must, his meat at every meal.
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37. A small hut of one's own is better, A man is his master at home: His heart bleeds in the beggar who must Ask at each meal for meat. |
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38. Vopnum sínum skal-a maður velli á feti ganga framar, því að óvíst er að vita, nær verður á vegum úti geirs um þörf guma. |
38. Let a man never stir on his road a step without his weapons of war; for unsure is the knowing when need shall arise of a spear on the way without.
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38. A wayfarer should not walk unarmed, But have his weapons to hand: He knows not when he may need a spear, Or what menace meet on the road. |
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39. Fannk-a eg mildan mann eða svo matar góðan, að ei væri þiggja þegið, eða síns fjár svogi [glöggvan], að leið sé laun, ef þægi. |
39. I found none so noble or free with his food, who was not gladdened with a gift, nor one who gave of his gifts such store but he loved reward, could he win it.
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39. No man is so generous he will jib at accepting A gift in return for a gift, No man so rich that it really gives him Pain to be repaid. |
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40. Fjár síns, er fengið hefir, skyli-t maður þörf þola; oft sparir leiðum, það er hefir ljúfum hugað, margt gengur verr en varir. |
40. Let no man stint him and suffer need of the wealth he has won in life; oft is saved for a foe what was meant for a friend, and much goes worse than one weens.
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40. Once he has won wealth enough, A man should not crave for more: What he saves for friends, foes may take; Hopes are often liars. |
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41. Vopnum og voðum skulu vinir gleðjast, það er á sjálfum sýnst. Viðurgefendur og endurgefendur erust lengst vinir, ef það bíður að verða vel. |
41. With raiment and arms shall friends gladden each other, so has one proved oneself; for friends last longest, if fate be fair who give and give again.
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41. With presents friends should please each other, With a shield or a costly coat: Mutual giving makes for friendship, So long as life goes well. |
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42. Vin sínum skal maður vinur vera og gjalda gjöf við gjöf. Hlátur við hlátri skyli höldar taka, en lausung við lygi. |
42. To his friend a man should bear him as friend, and gift for gift bestow, laughter for laughter let him exchange, but leasing pay for a lie.
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42. A man should be loyal through life to friends, To them and to friends of theirs, But never shall a man make offer Of friendship to his foes. |
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43. Vin sínum skal maður vinur vera, þeim og þess vin; en óvinar síns skyli engi maður vinar vinur vera. |
43. To his friend a man should bear him as friend, to him and a friend of his; but let him beware that he be not the friend of one who is friend to his foe.
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43. A man should be loyal through life to friends, And return gift for gift, Laugh when they laugh, but with lies repay A false foe who lies. |
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44. Veistu, ef þú vin átt, þann er þú vel trúir, og vilt þú af honum gott geta, geði skaltu við þann blanda og gjöfum skipta, fara að finna oft. |
44. Hast thou a friend whom thou trustest well, from whom thou cravest good? Share thy mind with him, gifts exchange with him, fare to find him oft.
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44. If you find a friend you fully trust And wish for his good-will, exchange thoughts, exchange gifts, Go often to his house. |
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45. Ef þú átt annan, þann er þú illa trúir, viltu af honum þó gott geta, fagurt skaltu við þann mæla, en flátt hyggja og gjalda lausung við lygi. |
45. But hast thou one whom thou trustest ill yet from whom thou cravest good? Thou shalt speak him fair, but falsely think, and leasing pay for a lie.
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45. If you deal with another you don't trust But wish for his good-will, Be fair in speech but false in thought And give him lie for lie. |
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46. Það er enn um þann, er þú illa trúir og þér er grunur að hans geði, hlæja skaltu við þeim og um hug mæla; glík skulu gjöld gjöfum. |
46. Yet further of him whom thou trusted ill, and whose mind thou dost misdoubt; thou shalt laugh with him but withhold thy thought, for gift with like gift should be paid.
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46. Even with one you ill-trust And doubt what he means to do, False words with fair smiles May get you the gift you desire. |
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47. Ungur var eg forðum, fór eg einn saman, þá varð eg villur vega; auðigur þóttumk, er eg annan fann, maður er manns gaman. |
47. Young was I once, I walked alone, and bewildered seemed in the way; then I found me another and rich I thought me, for man is the joy of man.
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47. Young and alone on a long road, Once I lost my way: Rich I felt when I found another; Man rejoices in man. |
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48. Mildir, fræknir menn best lifa, sjaldan sút ala; en ósnjallur maður uggir hotvetna, sýtir æ glöggur við gjöfum. |
48. Most blest is he who lives free and bold and nurses never a grief, for the fearful man is dismayed by aught, and the mean one mourns over giving.
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48. The generous and bold have the best lives, Are seldom beset by cares, But the base man sees bogies everywhere And the miser pines for presents. |
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49. Voðir mínar gaf eg velli að tveim trémönnum; rekkar það þóttust, er þeir rift höfðu; neiss er nökkvinn halur. |
49. My garments once I gave in the field to two land-marks made as men; heroes they seemed when once they were clothed; 'tis the naked who suffer shame!
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49. Two wooden stakes stood on the plain, On them I hung my clothes: Draped in linen, they looked well born, But, naked, I was a nobody. |
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50. Hrörnar þöll, sú er stendur þorpi á, hlýr-at henni börkur né barr. Svo er maður, sá er manngi ann. Hvað skal hann lengi lifa? |
50. The pine tree wastes which is perched on the hill, nor bark nor needles shelter it; such is the man whom none doth love; for what should he longer live?
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50. The young fir that falls and rots Having neither needles nor bark, So is the fate of the friendless man: Why should he live long? |
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51. Eldi heitari brennur með illum vinum friður fimm daga, en þá slokknar, er inn sétti kemur, og versnar allur vinskapr. |
51. Fiercer than fire among ill friends for five days love will burn; bun anon 'tis quenched, when the sixth day comes, and all friendship soon is spoiled.
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51. Hotter than fire among false hearts burns Friendship for five days, But suddenly slackens when the sixth dawns: Feeble their friendship then. |
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52. Mikið eitt skal-a manni gefa; oft kaupir sér í litlu lof; með hálfum hleif og með höllu keri fékk eg mér félaga. |
52. Not great things alone must one give to another, praise oft is earned for nought; with half a loaf and a tilted bowl I have found me many a friend.
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52. A kind word need not cost much, The price of praise can be cheap: With half a loaf and an empty cup I found myself a friend. |
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53. Lítilla sanda lítilla sæva lítil eru geð guma; því allir menn urðu-t jafnspakir; hálf er öld hvar. |
53. Little the sand if little the seas, little are minds of men, for ne'er in the world were all equally wise, 'tis shared by the fools and the sage.
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53. Little a sand-grain, little a dew drop, Little the minds of men All men are not equal in wisdom, The half-wise are everywhere. |
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54. Meðalsnotur skyli manna hver, æva til snotur sé. Þeim er fyrða fegurst að lifa er vel margt vitu. |
54. Wise in measure let each man be; but let him not wax too wise; for never the happiest of men is he who knows much of many things.
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54. It is best for man to be middle-wise, Not over cunning and clever: The fairest life is led by those Who are deft at all they do. |
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55. Meðalsnotur skyli manna hver, æva til snotur sé; því að snoturs manns hjarta verður sjaldan glatt, ef sá er alsnotur, er á. |
55. Wise in measure should each man be; but let him not wax too wise; seldom a heart will sing with joy if the owner be all too wise.
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55. It is best for man to be middle-wise, Not over cunning and clever: No man is able to know his future, So let him sleep in peace. |
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56. Meðalsnotur skyli manna hver, æva til snotur sé. Örlög sín viti engi fyrir, þeim er sorgalausastr sefi. |
56. Wise in measure should each man be, but ne'er let him wax too wise: who looks not forward to learn his fate unburdened heart will bear.
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56. It is best for man to be middle-wise, Not over cunning and clever: The learned man whose lore is deep Is seldom happy at heart. |
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57. Brandur af brandi brenn, uns brunninn er, funi kveikist af funa; maður af manni verður af manni kunnur, en til dælskur af dul. |
57. Brand kindles from brand until it be burned, spark is kindled from spark, man unfolds him by speech with man, but grows over secret through silence.
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57. Brand kindles brand till they burn out, Flame is quickened by flame: One man from another is known by his speech The simpleton by his silence. |
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58. Ár skal rísa, er annars vill fé eða fjör hafa. Sjaldan liggjandi úlfur lær um getur né sofandi maður sigur. |
58. He must rise betimes who fain of another or life or wealth would win; scarce falls the prey to sleeping wolves, or to slumberers victory in strife.
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58. Early shall he rise who has designs On anothers land or life: His prey escapes the prone wolf, The sleeper is seldom victorious. |
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59. Ár skal rísa, sá er á yrkjendur fáa, og ganga síns verka á vit. Margt um dvelur, þann er um morgun sefur. Hálfur er auður und hvötum. |
59. He must rise betimes who hath few to serve him, and see to his work himself; who sleeps at morning is hindered much, to the keen is wealth half-won.
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59. Early shall he rise who rules few servants, And set to work at once: Much is lost by the late sleeper, Wealth is won by the swift. |
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60. Þurra skíða og þakinna næfra, þess kann maður mjöt, og þess viðar, er vinnast megi mál og misseri. |
60. Of dry logs saved and roof-bark stored a man can know the measure, of fire-wood too which should last him out quarter and half years to come.
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60. A man should know how many logs And strips of bark from the birch To stock in autumn, that he may have enough Wood for his winter fires. |
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61. Þveginn og mettur ríði maður þingi að, þótt hann sé-t væddur til vel. Skúa og bróka skammist engi maður né hests in heldur, þótt hann hafi-t góðan. |
61. Fed and washed should one ride to court though in garments none too new; thou shalt not shame thee for shoes or breeks, nor yet for a sorry steed.
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61. Washed and fed, one may fare to the Thing: Though one's clothes be the worse for Wear, None need be ashamed of his shoes or hose, Nor of the horse he owns, Although no thoroughbred. |
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62. Snapir og gnapir, er til sævar kemur, örn á aldinn mar; svo er maður, er með mörgum kemur og á formælendur fáa. |
62. Like an eagle swooping over old ocean, snatching after his prey, so comes a man into court who finds there are few to defend his cause.
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62. As the eagle who comes to the ocean shore, Sniffs and hangs her head, Dumfounded is he who finds at the Thing No supporters to plead his case. |
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63. Fregna og segja skal fróðra hver, sá er vill heitinn horskur. Einn vita né annar skal, þjóð veit, ef þrír eru. |
63. Each man who is wise and would wise be called must ask and answer aright. Let one know thy secret, but never a second, -- if three a thousand shall know.
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63. It is safe to tell a secret to one, Risky to tell it to two, To tell it to three is thoughtless folly, Everyone else will know. |
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64. Ríki sitt skyli ráðsnotra hver í hófi hafa. Þá hann það finnur, er með fræknum kemur, að engi er einna hvatastr. |
64. A wise counselled man will be mild in bearing and use his might in measure, lest when he come his fierce foes among he find others fiercer than he.
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64. Moderate at council should a man be, Not brutal and over bearing: Among the bold the bully will find Others as bold as he. |
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65. Orða þeirra, er maður öðrum segir, oft hann gjöld um getur. |
65. Each man should be watchful and wary in speech, and slow to put faith in a friend. for the words which one to another speaks he may win reward of ill.
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65. (Missing) |
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66. Mikilsti snemma kom eg í marga staði, en til síð í suma. Öl var drukkið, sumt var ólagað; sjaldan hittir leiður í lið. |
66. At many a feast I was far too late, and much too soon at some; drunk was the ale or yet unserved: never hits he the joint who is hated.
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66. Too early to many homes I came, Too late, it seemed, to some: The ale was finished or else un-brewed, The unpopular cannot please. |
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67. Hér og hvar myndi mér heim um boðið, ef þyrftag að málungi mat, eða tvö lær hengi að ins tryggva vinar, þar er eg hafða eitt etið. |
67. Here and there to a home I had haply been asked had I needed no meat at my meals, or were two hams left hanging in the house of that friend where I had partaken of one.
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67. Some would invite me to visit their homes, But none thought I needed a meal, As though I had eaten a whole joint, Just before with a friend who had two. |
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68. Eldur er bestur með ýta sonum og sólar sýn, heilyndi sitt, ef maður hafa náir, án við löst að lifa. |
68. Most dear is fire to the sons of men, most sweet the sight of the sun; good is health if one can but keep it, and to live a life without shame.
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68. These things are thought the best: Fire, the sight of the sun, Good health with the gift to keep it, And a life that avoids vice. |
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69. Er-at maður alls vesall, þótt hann sé illa heill. Sumur er af sonum sæll, sumur af frændum, sumur af fé ærnu, sumur af verkum vel. |
69. Not reft of all is he who is ill, for some are blest in their bairns, some in their kin and some in their wealth, and some in working well.
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69. Not all sick men are utterly wretched: Some are blessed with sons, Some with friends, some with riches, Some with worthy works. |
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70. Betra er lifðum en sé ólifðum, ey getur kvikur kú. Eld sá eg upp brenna auðgum manni fyrir, en úti var dauðum fyr durum. |
70. More blest are the living than the lifeless, 'tis the living who come by the cow; I saw the hearth-fire burn in the rich man's hall and himself lying dead at the door.
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70. It is always better to be alive, The living can keep a cow. Fire, I saw, warming a wealthy man, With a cold corpse at his door. |
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71. Haltur ríður hrossi, hjörð rekur handar vanur, daufur vegur og dugir. Blindur er betri en brenndur sé, nýtur manngi nás. |
71. The lame can ride horse, the handless drive cattle, the deaf one can fight and prevail, 'tis happier for the blind than for him on the bale-fire, but no man hath care for a corpse.
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71. The halt can manage a horse, the handless a flock, The deaf be a doughty fighter, To be blind is better than to burn on a pyre: There is nothing the dead can do. |
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72. Sonur er betri, þótt sé síð um alinn eftir genginn guma; Sjaldan bautasteinar standa brautu nær, nema reisi niður að nið. |
72. Best have a son though he be late born and before him the father be dead: seldom are stones on the wayside raised save by kinsmen to kinsmen.
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72. A son is a blessing, though born late To a father no longer alive: Stones would seldom stand by the highway If sons did not set them there. |
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73. Tveir eru eins herjar, tunga er höfuðs bani; er mér í héðin hvern handar væni. |
73. Two are hosts against one, The tongue is the head's bane, 'neath a rough hide a hand may be hid; |
73. Often words uttered to another Have reaped an ill harvest: Two beat one, the tongue is head's bane, Pockets of fur hide fists. |
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74. Nótt verður feginn, sá er nesti trúir, skammar eru skips rár; hverf er haustgríma; fjöld um viðrir á fimm dögum, en meira á mánuði. |
74. he is glad at nightfall who knows of his lodging, short is the ship's berth, and changeful the autumn night, much veers the wind ere the fifth day and blows round yet more in a month.
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74. He welcomes the night who has enough provisions Short are the sails of a ship, Dangerous the dark in autumn, The wind may veer within five days, And many times in a month. |
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75. Veit-a hinn, er vætki veit, margur verður af aurum api. Maður er auðigur, annar óauðigur, skyli-t þann vítka vár. |
75. He that learns nought will never know how one is the fool of another, for if one be rich another is poor and for that should bear no blame.
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75. The half wit does not know that gold Makes apes of many men: One is rich, one is poor, There is no blame in that. |
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76. Deyr fé, deyja frændur, deyr sjálfur ið sama; en orðstír deyr aldregi hveim er sér góðan getur. |
76. Cattle die and kinsmen die, thyself too soon must die, but one thing never, I ween, will die, -- fair fame of one who has earned.
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76. Cattle die, kindred die, Every man is mortal: But the good name never dies Of one who has done well. |
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77. Deyr fé, deyja frændur, deyr sjálfur ið sama. Eg veit einn, að aldrei deyr; dómur um dauðan hvern. |
77. Cattle die and kinsmen die, thyself too soon must die, but one thing never, I ween, will die, -- the doom on each one dead.
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77. Cattle die, kindred die, Every man is mortal: But I know one thing that never dies, The glory of the great dead. |
Maintained by: Már Örlygsson - last updated on May 1st 2001