Hávamál

Gáttir allaráðr gangi framum skoðask skylium skyggnast skyliþví at óvíst er at vitahvar óvinirsitja á fleti fyrir.

Every doorway, before you step through it,deserves a careful look, a careful watch —you can never be surewho your enemies areor where they're sitting,waiting for you inside.

Gefendr heilir!Gestr er inn kominnhvar skal sitja sjá?Mjök er bráðrsá er á bröndum skalsíns of freista frama.

Hail to the hosts!A guest has come in —where should he sit?He's in a hurry,the one who has to prove himselfright there by the fire.

Elds er þörfþeims inn er kominnok á kné kalinn;matar ok váðaer manni þörfþeim er hefr um fjall farit.

Fire is what he needs,the one who's come insidewith frozen knees;food and clothingare what a man needsafter crossing the mountains.

Vatns er þörfþeim er til verðar kemrþerru ok þjóðlaðargóðs of æðisef sér geta mættiorðs ok endrþögu.

Water is what he needs,the one who comes to the table,a towel and a warm welcome,good will if he can get it,a fair wordand an invitation to come again.

Vits er þörfþeim er víða ratar;dælt er heima hvat;at augabragði verðrsá er ekki kannok með snotrum sitr.

Wisdom is what you needif you travel far —anything's easy at home.He becomes a joke,the man who knows nothingand sits among the wise.

At hyggjandi sinniskyli-t maðr hræsinn veraheldr gætinn at geði;þá er horskr ok þögullkemr heimisgarða tilsjaldan verðr víti vörumþví at óbrigðra vinfær maðr aldregien mannvit mikit.

Don't boast about your own cleverness —keep watch over your mind instead.When a wise, quiet mancomes to someone's house,trouble rarely finds the careful.No friend is more reliablethan a great store of sense.

Inn vari gestrer til verðar kemrþunnu hljóði þegireyrum hlýðiren augum skoðar;svá nýsisk fróðra hverr fyrir.

The careful guestwho comes to the tablestays quiet and listens closely,hears with his ears,watches with his eyes —that's how every wise person feels out the room.

Hinn er sæller sér of getrlof ok líknstafi;ódælla er við þater maðr eiga skalannars brjóstum í.

Happy the onewho earns for himselfpraise and good will.It's harder to trustwhat a man keepslocked inside another's chest.

Sá er sæller sjalfr of álof ok vit, meðan lifir;því at ill ráðhefr maðr oft þegitannars brjóstum ór.

Happy the onewho has his own good senseand reputation while he lives —a man has often gottenbad adviceout of someone else's head.

Byrði betriberr-at maðr brautu aten sé mannvit mikit;auði betraþykkir þat í ókunnum stað;slíkt er válaðs vera.

No better burdencan a man carry on the roadthan a great store of sense;it's worth more than wealthin an unfamiliar place —that's the poor man's fortune.

Byrði betriberr-at maðr brautu aten sé mannvit mikit;vegnest verravegr-a hann velli aten sé ofdrykkja öls.

No better burdencan a man carry on the roadthan a great store of sense;no worse provisionweighs him down on the waythan drinking too much ale.

Er-a svá góttsem gótt kveðaöl alda sonaþví at færa veiter fleira drekkrsíns til geðs gumi.

Ale isn't as goodas people say it isfor men to drink —the more a man drinks,the less he knowshis own mind.

Óminnishegri heitirsá er yfir ölðrum þrumirhann stelr geði guma;þess fugls fjöðrumek fjötraðr varkí garði Gunnlaðar.

The heron of forgetting hoversover every drinking bout,stealing men's minds.I was caughtin that bird's feathers myself,trapped in Gunnlod's house.

Ölr ek varðvarð ofrölviat ins fróða Fjalars;því er ölðr baztat aftr of heimtirhverr sitt geð gumi.

I got drunk,dead drunk,at wise Fjalar's place.The best drinkingis the kindwhere you get your wits back after.

Þagalt ok hugaltskyli þjóðans barnok vígdjarft vera;glaðr ok reifrskyli gumna hverrunz sinn bíðr bana.

A ruler's childshould be quiet, thoughtful,and bold in a fight.Every manshould stay glad and cheerfuluntil the day death finds him.

Ósnjallr maðrhyggsk munu ey lifaef hann við víg varask;en elli gefrhánum engi friðþótt hánum geirar gefi.

The coward thinkshe'll live foreverif he steers clear of fighting;but old age won't spare him,even if spears do.

Kópir afglapier til kynnis kemrþylsk hann um eða þrumir;allt er sennef hann sylg of getruppi er þá geð guma.

The fool gapeswhen he arrives as a guest,mumbles to himself or sits silent;but the moment he gets a drink,his whole mindspills out into the open.

Sá einn veiter víða ratarok hefr fjölð of farithverju geðistýrir gumna hverrsá er vitandi er vits.

Only the man who has traveled farand seen a great dealreally understandswhat drives each person —that's what it means to have real sense.

Haldi-t maðr á keridrekki þó at hófi mjöðmæli þarft eða þegiókynnis þessvár þik engi maðrat þú gangir snemma at sofa.

Don't cling to the cup —drink your mead in moderation,say what needs saying or hold your tongue.No one will call it rudeif you go to bed early.

Gráðugr halrnema geðs vitietr sér aldrtrega;oft fær hlægiser með horskum kemrmanni heimskum magi.

A greedy man,if he can't check his appetite,eats his way into lasting trouble;a fool's bellyoften gets him mockedwhen he sits among the wise.

Hjarðir þat vitunær þær heim skuluok ganga þá af grasi;en ósviðr maðrkann ævagisíns of mál maga.

Herds knowwhen it's time to go homeand leave the grass behind;but a foolish mannever learnsthe size of his own stomach.

Vesall maðrok illa skapihlær at hvívetna;hittki hann veiter hann vita þyrftiat hann er-a vamma vanr.

A miserable, sour manlaughs at everything;what he doesn't know,and ought to,is that he's got plenty of faults himself.

Ósviðr maðrvakir um allar nætrok hyggr at hvívetna;þá er móðrer at morgni kemrallt er víl sem var.

A foolish manlies awake all night,worrying over everything;by morning he's exhausted,and every troubleis right where it was.

Ósnotr maðrhyggr sér alla veraviðhlæjendr vini;hittki hann fiðrþótt þeir um hann fár lesief hann með snotrum sitr.

A foolish manthinks everyone who laughs with himis his friend;he never noticeswhen they mock him behind his back,even sitting among clever people.

Ósnotr maðrhyggr sér alla veraviðhlæjendr vini;þá þat finnrer at þingi kemrat hann á formælendr fáa.

A foolish manthinks everyone who laughs with himis his friend;then he learns,once he's at the assembly,how few will speak up for him.

Ósnotr maðrþykkisk allt vitaef hann á sér í vá veru;hittki hann veithvat hann skal við kveðaef hans freista firar.

A foolish manthinks he knows everything,tucked away safe in his corner;but he has no idea what to saywhen people actually test him.

Ósnotr maðrer með aldir kemrþat er bazt, at hann þegi;engi þat veitat hann ekki kannnema hann mæli til margt;veit-a maðrhinn er vettki veitþótt hann mæli til margt.

When a foolish manis among people,his best move is silence;no one will knowhe knows nothing —unless he talks too much.But a man who knows nothingnever knows it,no matter how much he talks.

Fróðr sá þykkisker fregna kannok segja it sama;eyvitu leynamegu ýta synirþví er gengr um guma.

He seems wise,the one who knows how to askand how to answer;people can't keep secretwhatever's alreadygoing around about them.

Ærna mælirsá er æva þegirstaðlausu stafi;hraðmælt tunganema haldendr eigioft sér ógótt of gelr.

He says too much,the one who's never quiet —empty words.A fast tongue,with no one to hold it back,often sings its own downfall.

At augabragðiskal-a maðr annan hafaþótt til kynnis komi;margr þá fróðr þykkiskef hann freginn er-atok nái hann þurrfjallr þruma.

Don't make a jokeof a man just becausehe's come as your guest;plenty of people look wiseas long as no one asks them anythingand they can sit there unruffled.

Fróðr þykkisksá er flótta tekrgestr at gest hæðinn;veit-a görlasá er of verði glissirþótt hann með grömum glami.

A guest who walks awayfrom another guest's mockeryseems wise for it;but the one who sneers at the tabledoesn't really knowthat he's joking with his enemies.

Gumnar margirerusk gagnholliren at virði vrekask;aldar rógþat mun æ veraórir gestr við gest.

Many menare friendly enough with each otheruntil they're quarreling over dinner;that conflict between peoplewill always be there —guest turning on guest.

Árliga verðarskyli maðr oft fáanema til kynnis komi:str ok snópirlætr sem solginn séok kann fregna at fáu.

A man should usually eatbefore he comes visiting,not arrive fasting:hungry and famished,he sits there half-crazed,barely able to ask a thing.

Afhvarf mikiter til ills vinarþótt á brautu búien til góðs vinarliggja gagnvegirþótt hann sé firr farinn.

It's a long detourto a bad friend's house,even if he lives right on the road;but the straight pathslead to a good friend,even one who's settled far away.

Ganga skalskal-a gestr veraey í einum stað;ljúfr verðr leiðref lengi sitrannars fletjum á.

Move on —a guest shouldn't stayforever in one place.Welcome turns to wearinessif he sits too longon someone else's bench.

Bú er betraþótt lítit séhalr er heima hverr;þótt tvær geitr eigiok taugreftan salþat er þó betra en bæn.

A home of your own is better,even a small one —a man's his own master there.Even with just two goatsand a hut with a straw roof,that beats begging.

Bú er betraþótt lítit séhalr er heima hverr;blóðugt er hjartaþeim er biðja skalsér í mál hvert matar.

A home of your own is better,even a small one —a man's his own master there.A bleeding heart is what you getif you have to begfor every single meal.

Vápnum sínumskal-a maðr velli áfeti ganga framarþví at óvíst er at vitanær verðr á vegum útigeirs of þörf guma.

Never walk a single stepacross open groundaway from your weapons —you never knowwhen out on the roadyou'll need your spear.

Fannk-a ek mildan manneða svá matar góðanat væri-t þiggja þegiteða síns féarsvági [glöggvan]at leið sé laun, ef þægi.

I never met a man so generous,so free with food,that he wouldn't gladly take a gift back —or so free with his wealththat a reward in returnwas unwelcome.

Féar sínser fengit hefrskyli-t maðr þörf þola;oft sparir leiðumþats hefr ljúfum hugat;margt gengr verr en varir.

A man shouldn't go without,once he's gained some wealth;he often ends up savingfor someone he despiseswhat he meant for someone he loves —much turns out worse than you'd expect.

Vápnum ok váðumskulu vinir gleðjask;þat er á sjalfum sýnst;viðrgefendr ok endrgefendrerusk lengst viniref þat bíðr at verða vel.

Friends should give each otherweapons and clothing —that's what shows plainest in a person.Those who give and give backstay friends the longest,if things go well between them.

Vin sínumskal maðr vinr veraok gjalda gjöf við gjöf;hlátr við hlátriskyli hölðar takaen lausung við lygi.

A man should be a friendto his friend,and pay back gift with gift;meet laughter with laughter,and treachery with lies of your own.

Vin sínumskal maðr vinr veraþeim ok þess vin;en óvinar sínsskyli engi maðrvinar vinr vera.

A man should be a friendto his friend,and to that friend's friend too;but no one should be friendswith a friendof his enemy.

Veiztu, ef þú vin áttþann er þú vel trúirok vill þú af hánum gótt getageði skaltu við þann blandaok gjöfum skiptafara at finna oft.

Know this: if you have a friendyou fully trust,and want the best from him,share your mind with him,trade gifts,and go see him often.

Ef þú átt annanþanns þú illa trúirvildu af hánum þó gótt getafagrt skaltu við þann mælaen flátt hyggjaok gjalda lausung við lygi.

If you have someoneyou don't trust,but still want something good from him,speak fair words to his facewhile you think otherwise —pay deceit back with deceit.

Það er enn of þanner þú illa trúirok þér er grunr at hans geðihlæja skaltu við þeimok um hug mæla;glík skulu gjöld gjöfum.

And this too,about the man you distrustand whose motives you doubt:laugh along with him,say the opposite of what you think —gifts should be repaid in kind.

Ungr var ek forðumfór ek einn samanþá varð ek villr vega;auðigr þóttumker ek annan fannmaðr er manns gaman.

I was young once,traveling alone,and I lost my way.I felt richthe day I found a companion —one person is another's joy.

Mildir, fræknirmenn bazt lifasjaldan sút ala;en ósnjallr maðruggir hotvetnasýtir æ glöggr við gjöfum.

Generous, bold peoplelive best,rarely feeding their own worries;but the coward dreads everything,and the miseralways resents giving gifts.

Váðir mínargaf ek velli attveim trémönnum;rekkar þat þóttusker þeir rift höfðu;neiss er nökkviðr halr.

I once gave my clothes awayin a fieldto two wooden men —they felt like warriorsonce they had cloaks.A naked man is a shamed one.

Hrörnar þöllsú er stendr þorpi áhlýr-at henni börkr né barr;svá er maðrsá er manngi ann.Hvat skal hann lengi lifa?

The pine tree withers,the one standing out in the open —no bark, no needles keep it warm.So it is with a manthat nobody loves.Why should he go on living?

Eldi heitaribrennr með illum vinumfriðr fimm dagaen þá sloknarer inn sétti kemrok versnar allr vinskapr.

Hotter than fire,friendship with bad friendsburns for five days;then it goes outon the sixth,and the whole thing turns sour.

Mikit eittskal-a manni gefa;oft kaupir sér í litlu lofmeð halfum hleifok með höllu kerifekk ek mér félaga.

You don't need to give someonesomething huge —gratitude often comes cheap.With half a loaf of breadand a half-empty cupI made myself a friend.

Lítilla sandalítilla sævalítil eru geð guma;því allir mennurðu-t jafnspakir;half er öld hvar.

Small sands, small seas,small are the minds of men —not everyone grew equally wise.Everyone'sonly halfway there.

Meðalsnotrskyli manna hverr;æva til snotr sé;þeim er fyrðafegrst at lifaer vel margt vitu.

Everyone should be moderately wise —never too wise.The finest livesbelong to thosewho know a fair amount,not everything.

Meðalsnotrskyli manna hverræva til snotr sé;því at snotrs manns hjartaverðr sjaldan glattef sá er alsnotr, er á.

Everyone should be moderately wise —never too wise.A wise heartis rarely a glad one,if the one who owns it knows too much.

Meðalsnotrskyli manna hverræva til snotr sé;örlög sínviti engi fyrirþeim er sorgalausastr sefi.

Everyone should be moderately wise —never too wise.No one should know their own fateahead of time;that's the mindfreest from sorrow.

Brandr af brandibrenn, unz brunninn erfuni kveikisk af funa;maðr af manniverðr at máli kuðren til dælskr af dul.

Torch lights torchtill it burns out,flame kindles flame.A man becomes known to other men through speech,and dull through silence.

Ár skal rísasá er annars villfé eða fjör hafa;sjaldan liggjandi ulfrlær of getrné sofandi maðr sigr.

Get up early,if you wantanother man's wealth or life —a wolf lying downrarely gets a haunch of meat,and a sleeping man never wins.

Ár skal rísasá er á yrkjendr fáaok ganga síns verka á vit;margt of dvelrþann er um morgin sefrhálfr er auðr und hvötum.

Get up earlyif you have few hands to help —go check your own work.A lot gets delayedfor the one who sleeps late;half of wealth goes to the quick.

Þurra skíðaok þakinna næfraþess kann maðr mjötþess viðarer vinnask megimál ok misseri.

A man should know the right measureof dry firewoodand bark for thatching —and how much woodwill get him througha season, a half-year.

Þveginn ok mettrríði maðr þingi atþótt hann sé-t væddr til vel;skúa ok brókaskammisk engi maðrné hests in heldrþótt hann hafi-t góðan

Washed and fed,a man should ride to the assembly,even if his clothes aren't much.No one should be ashamedof his shoes or trousers,or of his horse,even a poor one.

Snapir ok gnapirer til sævar kemrörn á aldinn mar;svá er maðrer með mörgum kemrok á formælendr fáa.

He snaps and bows his head,coming to the sea —the eagle over the old waves.So it is with a manwho steps among a crowdand has no one to speak for him.

Fregna ok segjaskal fróðra hverrsá er vill heitinn horskr;einn vitané annarr skalþjóð veit, ef þrír ro.

A wise manshould know how to ask and answerif he wants to be called clever.One person can keep a secret,and maybe a second —but tell it to a third, and everyone knows.

Ríki sittskyli ráðsnotrahverr í hófi hafa;þá hann þat finnrer með fræknum kemrat engi er einna hvatastr.

A sensible manshould keep his own powerwithin reasonable limits;he'll find, once he's among the bold,that no one standsas the boldest of all.

-- -- -- --orða þeiraer maðr öðrum segiroft hann gjöld of getr.

—For the wordsone man speaks to another,he often gets paid back.

Mikilsti snemmakom ek í marga staðien til síð í suma;öl var drukkitsumt var ólagatsjaldan hittir leiðr í líð.

Too earlyI arrived in many places,and too late to others;the ale was already gone in some,not yet brewed in others —an unwelcome man rarely gets the timing right.

Hér ok hvarmyndi mér heim of boðitef þyrftak at málungi mateða tvau lær hengiat ins tryggva vinarþars ek hafða eitt etit.

I'd be invited homehere and thereif I actually needed a meal at mealtime —or if two hams hungat my true friend's housewhere I'd already eaten one.

Eldr er beztrmeð ýta sonumok sólar sýnheilyndi sittef maðr hafa náirán við löst at lifa.

Fire is the best thingamong the sons of men,and the sight of the sun;good health too, if you can have it,and a life livedwithout shame.

Er-at maðr alls vesallþótt hann sé illa heill;sumr er af sonum sællsumr af frændumsumr af fé ærnusumr af verkum vel.

A man isn't unlucky in everything,even with poor health.One man finds joy in his sons,another in his kin,another in plenty of wealth,another in work well done.

Betra er lifðumen sé ólifðumey getr kvikr kú;eld sá ek upp brennaauðgum manni fyriren úti var dauðr fyr durum.

Better to livethan not to live —the living man always gets the cow.I saw the fire blazingfor a rich man's household,and outside his door,a dead man lying.

Haltr ríðr hrossihjörð rekr handar vanrdaufr vegr ok dugirblindr er betrien brenndr séinýtr manngi nás.

The lame man rides a horse,the handless man herds cattle,the deaf man fights and gets by.Better to be blindthan to be burned —no one gets any usefrom a corpse.

Sonr er betriþótt sé síð of alinneftir genginn guma;sjaldan bautarsteinarstanda brautu nærnema reisi niðr at nið.

A son is worth having,even born late,after the father's gone.Memorial stones rarely standby the roadside,unless a kinsman raised it for a kinsman.

Tveir ro eins herjartunga er höfuðs bani;er mér í heðin hvernhandar væni.

Two together can take on one;the tongue is the death of the head.In every fur coatI expect to find a hidden hand.

Nótt verðr feginnsá er nesti trúirskammar ro skips ráar;hverf er haustgríma;fjölð of viðrirá fimm dögumen meira á mánuði.

He welcomes the night,the one who trusts his supplies.A ship's yard is short.Autumn darkness is changeable —the weather turnsmany times in five days,more in a month.

Veit-a hinner vettki veitmargr verðr af aurum api;maðr er auðigrannar óauðigrskyli-t þann vítka váar.

He doesn't know it,the one who knows nothing —money turns plenty of men into fools.One man is rich,another poor —don't hold that misfortune against him.

Deyr fédeyja frændrdeyr sjalfr it samaen orðstírrdeyr aldregihveim er sér góðan getr.

Cattle die, kinsmen die,you yourself will die the same;but reputation never diesfor the one who earns it well.

Deyr fédeyja frændrdeyr sjalfr it samaek veit einnat aldrei deyr:dómr um dauðan hvern.

Cattle die, kinsmen die,you yourself will die the same;I know one thing that never dies —the verdict passed on every dead man.

Fullar grindrsá ek fyr Fitjungs sonumnú bera þeir vánar völ;svá er auðrsem augabragðhann er valtastr vina.

I saw full cattle-pensthat belonged to Fitjung's sons —now they carry the beggar's staff.Wealth is like the blink of an eye;it's the most fickle friend there is.

Ósnotr maðref eignask getrfé eða fljóðs munuðmetnaðr hánum þróasken mannvit aldregifram gengr hann drjúgt í dul.

If a foolish manmanages to get wealth,or a woman's love,his pride grows —but never his sense.He goes aroundthoroughly pleased with himself.

Þat er þá reynter þú að rúnum spyrrinum reginkunnumþeim er gerðu ginnreginok fáði fimbulþulrþá hefir hann bazt, ef hann þegir.

This much is proven true:when you ask about the runes,the ones the gods themselves made,shaped by the high powers,painted by the mighty sage —silence serves you best.

At kveldi skal dag leyfakonu, er brennd ermæki, er reyndr ermey, er gefin erís, er yfir kemröl, er drukkit er.

Praise the day at dusk,a woman once she's on the pyre,a sword once it's been tested,a bride once she's married,ice once you've crossed it,ale once it's drunk.

Í vindi skal við höggvaveðri á sjó róamyrkri við man spjallamörg eru dags augu;á skip skal skriðar orkaen á skjöld til hlífarmæki höggsen mey til kossa.

Chop wood in the wind,row out in fair weather,court a woman in the dark —daylight has too many eyes.A ship is for speed,a shield for cover,a sword for the cut,a girl for kissing.

Við eld skal öl drekkaen á ísi skríðamagran mar kaupaen mæki saurganheima hest feitaen hund á búi.II.

Drink ale by the fire,skate on the ice,buy a lean horseand a tarnished sword;fatten the horse at home,the dog on the farm.II.

Meyjar orðumskyli manngi trúané því, er kveðr konaþví at á hverfanda hvéliváru þeim hjörtu sköpuðbrigð í brjóst of lagið.

No one should trusta young woman's words,or anything a woman says —their hearts were shapedon a spinning wheel,fickleness built into their chests.

Brestanda bogabrennanda logagínanda ulfigalandi krákurýtanda svínirótlausum viðivaxanda vágivellanda katli

Trust none of these:a bow about to snap,a blazing flame,a gaping wolf,a cawing crow,a grunting boar,a rootless tree,a rising wave,a boiling kettle,

Fljúganda fleinifallandi báruísi einnættumormi hringlegnumbrúðar beðmálumeða brotnu sverðibjarnar leikieða barni konungs.

A flying spear,a falling wave,ice just one night old,a coiled serpent,a bride's pillow-talk,a broken sword,the play of a bear,or a king's child,

Sjúkum kalfisjalfráða þrælivölu vilmælival nýfelldum.

A sick calf,a headstrong slave,a witch's flattering words,a corpse freshly killed.

Akri ársánumtrúi engi maðrné til snemma syni- veðr ræðr akri.en vit syni;hætt er þeira hvárt.

Let no man trustan early-sown field,or a son too soon —weather rules the field,wit rules the son;either one can fail him.

Bróðurbana sínumþótt á brautu mætihúsi hálfbrunnuhesti alskjótum- þá er jór ónýtref einn fótr brotnar -verði-t maðr svá tryggrat þessu trúi öllu.

Not even his brother's killer,if he meets him on the road;a half-burned house;a horse that's very fast —one leg brokenand the horse is worthless —no one should be so trustingas to trust in all of this.

Svá er friðr kvennaþeira er flátt hyggjasem aki jó óbryddumá ísi hálumteitum, tvévetrumok sé tamr illaeða í byr óðumbeiti stjórnlausueða skyli haltr hendahrein í þáfjalli.

So it is with the love of womenwho think one thing and mean another —like riding an unshod horseon slick ice,a skittish two-year-oldthat's barely broken,or steering a rudderless shipin a wild wind,or a lame mantrying to catch a reindeeron a thawing mountain.

Bert ek nú mæliþví at ek bæði veitbrigðr er karla hugr konum;þá vér fegrst mælumer vér flást hyggjum:þat tælir horska hugi.

I'll speak plainly now,since I know both sides of it —men's minds are just as fickletoward women.We speak the sweetestexactly when we mean the least —and that's what fools even clever minds.

Fagrt skal mælaok fé bjóðasá er vill fljóðs ást fálíki leyfains ljósa manssá fær, er fríar.

Speak sweetly,offer gifts,if you want to win a woman's love;praise the bodyof the bright girl —the one who courts well, wins.

Ástar firnaskyli engi maðrannan aldregi;oft fá á horskaner á heimskan né fálostfagrir litir.

No man should ever blame anotherfor falling in love;a beautiful faceoften captures the wise manwhere it wouldn't even touch a fool.

Eyvitar firnaer maðr annan skalþess er um margan gengr guma;heimska ór horskumgerir hölða sonusá inn máttki munr.

A man shouldn't blame anotherfor something that happensto plenty of men —that powerful desireturns even wise men's sonsinto fools.

Hugr einn þat veiter býr hjarta næreinn er hann sér of sefa;öng er sótt verrihveim snotrum mannien sér engu at una.

Only the mind knowswhat lives close to the heart —it alone knows its own mood.No sickness is worsefor a thoughtful personthan finding nothing to be content with.

Þat ek þá reyndaer ek í reyri satok vættak míns munar;hold ok hjartavar mér in horska mær;þeygi ek hana at heldr hefik.

I learned that myself,sitting in the reeds,waiting for what I wanted;that clever girlwas flesh and heart to me —and still I never had her.

Billings meyek fann beðjum ásólhvíta sofa;jarls ynðiþótti mér ekki veranema við þat lík at lifa.

I found Billing's daughterasleep on her bed,white as sunlight;a nobleman's fortunemeant nothing to menext to living with that body.

"Auk nær aftniskaltu, Óðinn, komaef þú vilt þér mæla man;allt eru ósköpnema einir vitislíkan löst saman."

"Come back near evening, Odin,if you want to have me.It would be ruinif anyone knew of this shamebut the two of us."

Aftr ek hvarfok unna þóttumkvísum vilja frá;hitt ek hugðaat ek hafa myndageð hennar allt ok gaman.

I went away,and thought myself loved,her will made plain to me;I believedI would haveher whole heart, and her joy.

Svá kom ek næstat in nýta varvígdrótt öll of vakinmeð brennandum ljósumok bornum viðisvá var mér vílstígr of vitaðr.

So I came back —and the whole householdwas wide awake,torches burning,firewood carried in —a path of miserywas what waited for me.

Auk nær morgnier ek var enn of kominnþá var saldrótt of sofin;grey eitt ek þá fanninnar góðu konubundit beðjum á.

And near morning,when I came again,the household was all asleep;a dog was all I found,the good woman's dog,tied to her bed.

Mörg er góð mæref görva kannarhugbrigð við hali;þá ek þat reyndaer it ráðspakateygða ek á flærðir fljóð;háðungar hverrarleitaði mér it horska manok hafða ek þess vettki vífs.III.

Many a woman, once you know her well,turns out fickle toward men —I found that out myself,when I tried to trickthat clever girl with deceit;she paid me backwith every kind of scorn,and from that womanI got nothing at all.III.

Heima glaðr gumiok við gesti reifrsviðr skal um sig veraminnigr ok málugref hann vill margfróðr veraoft skal góðs geta;fimbulfambi heitirsá er fátt kann segjaþat er ósnotrs aðal.

Cheerful at home,warm with guests,a man should be sharp about himself —remembering well,speaking well,if he wants a reputation for wisdom;and he should keep speaking of good things."Utter fool" is the namefor the man who has little to say —that's the mark of a fool.

Inn aldna jötun ek sóttanú em ek aftr of kominn:fátt gat ek þegjandi þar;mörgum orðummælta ek í minn framaí Suttungs sölum.

I sought out the old giant —now I've come back again.Staying silent got me nowhere there;I spoke plenty of wordsto my own advantage,inside Suttung's halls.

Gunnlöð mér of gafgullnum stóli ádrykk ins dýra mjaðar;ill iðgjöldlét ek hana eftir hafasíns ins heila hugarsíns ins svára sefa.

Gunnlod gave me,sitting on a golden seat,a drink of the precious mead;a poor rewardI left her withfor her whole and trusting heart,for her heavy, troubled mind.

Rata munnlétumk rúms of fáok um grjót gnaga;yfir ok undirstóðumk jötna vegirsvá hætta ek höfði til.

I used Rati's mouthto make myself room,and gnawed through the stone;giants' paths stoodabove me and below —that's how I risked my head.

Vel keypts litarhefi ek vel notitfás er fróðum vantþví at Óðrerirer nú upp kominná alda vés jaðar.

That hard-bought prizeI've put to good use —a wise man lacks for little.Now Odrerirhas been carried upto the edge of the world of men.

Ifi er mér áat ek væra enn kominnjötna görðum óref ek Gunnlaðar né nytakinnar góðu konuþeirar er lögðumk arm yfir.

I doubt I would have made it backout of the giants' halls at all,if it weren't for Gunnlod,that good woman,the one who put her arm around me.

Ins hindra dagsgengu hrímþursarHáva ráðs at fregnaHáva höllu í;at Bölverki þeir spurðuef hann væri með böndum kominneða hefði hánum Suttungr of sóit.

The next day the frost-giants wentto ask for the High One's counsel,inside the High One's hall;about Bolverk they asked —had he come back among the gods,or had Suttung struck him down?

Baugeið Óðinnhygg ek, at unnit hafi;hvat skal hans tryggðum trúa?Suttung svikinnhann lét sumbli fráok grætta Gunnlöðu.IV.

Odin had swornan oath on the ring, I think —what good is his word worth?He left Suttungcheated of the feast,and Gunnlodin tears.IV.

Mál er at þyljaþular stóli áUrðarbrunni atsá ek ok þagðaksá ek ok hugðakhlýdda ek á manna mál;of rúnar heyrða ek dæmané of ráðum þögðuHáva höllu atHáva höllu íheyrða ek segja svá:

It's time to speakfrom the sage's seat,by Urd's well;I watched, and stayed silent,I watched, and I thought,I listened to what people said;I heard them debate the runes,and they had plenty to sayabout counsel too —at the High One's hall,in the High One's hall,I heard it said like this:

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:nótt þú rís-atnema á njósn séireða þú leitir þér innan út staðar.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —don't get up at night,unless you're keeping watch,or you need to step outside to the outhouse.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:fjölkunnigri konuskal-at-tu í faðmi sofasvá at hon lyki þik liðum.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never sleep in the arms of a woman skilled in magic,or she'll lock your limbs in place.

Hon svá gerirat þú gáir eigiþings né þjóðans máls;mat þú vill-atné mannskis gamanferr þú sorgafullr at sofa.

She'll make it soyou no longer careabout the assembly, or public matters;you won't want food,or anyone's company —you'll go to sleep miserable.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:annars konuteygðu þér aldregieyrarúnu at.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never lure another man's wifeinto a secret affair with you.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:á fjalli eða firðief þik fara tíðirfásktu at virði vel.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —on mountain or fjord,if your travels take you there,make sure you're well stocked with food.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:illan mannláttu aldregióhöpp at þér vitaþví at af illum mannifær þú aldregigjöld ins góða hugar.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never let a bad manknow of your troubles,because from a bad manyou'll never getany goodwill in return.

Ofarla bítaek sá einum halorð illrar konu;fláráð tungavarð hánum at fjörlagiok þeygi of sanna sök.

I once saw a mancut deepby a wicked woman's words;a lying tonguecost him his life —and there wasn't even any truth to the charge.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:veistu, ef þú vin áttþann er þú vel trúirfar þú at finna oftþví at hrísi vexok hávu grasivegr, er vættki treðr.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —know this: if you have a friendyou truly trust,go and visit him often —a path nobody walksgrows over with brushand tall grass.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:góðan mannteygðu þér at gamanrúnumok nem líknargaldr, meðan þú lifir.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —draw a good man to youwith warm conversation,and learn the charms of healingwhile you're alive to learn them.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:vin þínumver þú aldregifyrri at flaumslitum;sorg etr hjartaef þú segja né náireinhverjum allan hug.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never be the firstto break off with your friend;sorrow eats at the heartif you can't tell anyoneyour whole mind.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:orðum skiptaþú skalt aldregivið ósvinna apa

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never trade wordswith a witless fool

Því at af illum mannimundu aldregigóðs laun of getaen góðr maðrmun þik gerva megalíknfastan at lofi.

because from a bad manyou will neverget a good reward —but a good mancan make your namefirmly praised.

Sifjum er þá blandathver er segja ræðreinum allan hug;allt er betraen sé brigðum at vera;er-a sá vinr öðrum, er vilt eitt segir.

Real closeness existswhen a man can tell anotherhis whole mind;anything is betterthan being unreliable —a man who only tells youwhat you want to hearis no friend at all.

Ráðumk, þér Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:þrimr orðum sennaskal-at-tu þér við verra mannoft inn betri bilarþá er inn verri vegr.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —don't trade three words in argumentwith a lesser man;the better man often comes off worseonce the worse one starts swinging.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:skósmiðr þú verirné skeftismiðrnema þú sjalfum þér séir:skór er skapaðr illaeða skaft sé rangtþá er þér böls beðit.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —don't make shoesor spear-shafts for anyone but yourself:if the shoe comes out badly,or the shaft is crooked,you're the one who'll be cursed for it.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:hvars þú böl kanntkveð þú þér bölvi atok gef-at þínum fjándum frið.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —wherever you find real evil,call it evil to its face,and give your enemies no peace.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:illu feginnver þú aldregien lát þér at góðu getit.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never take pleasure in evil,let only good thingsbring you satisfaction.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:upp lítaskal-at-tu í orrustu- gjalti glíkirverða gumna synir, -síðr þitt of heilli halir.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —don't look up in the middle of battle— men turn wild with fear, like panicked animals —or warriors may curse your luck away.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:ef þú vilt þér góða konukveðja at gamanrúnumok fá fögnuð affögru skaltu heitaok láta fast vera;leiðisk manngi gótt, ef getr.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —if you want to win a good womanwith warm words,and find happiness with her,promise her beautiful things,and keep your word firmly —no one grows tired of a good thing, once they have it.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:varan bið ek þik veraok eigi ofvaran;ver þú við öl varastrok við annars konuok við þat it þriðjaat þjófar né leiki.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —be careful,but not overly careful;be most careful around ale,around another man's wife,and a third thing —don't let thieves get the better of you.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:at háði né hlátrihafðu aldregigest né ganganda.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never make a guest,or a traveler passing through,the target of mockery or laughter.

Oft vitu ógörlaþeir er sitja inni fyrirhvers þeir ro kyns, er koma;er-at maðr svá góðrat galli né fylginé svá illr, at einugi dugi.

Those already sitting insideoften don't really knowwhat kind of person has just arrived;no one is so goodthat he has no faults,and no one so badthat he's worthless entirely.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:at hárum þulhlæ þú aldregioft er gótt, þat er gamlir kveða;oft ór skörpum belgskilin orð komaþeim er hangir með hámok skollir með skrámok váfir með vílmögum.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —never laugh at a gray-haired speaker —what old men say is often worth hearing;wise words often comefrom a shriveled old hide,from someone who hangs among the leather scraps,dangles among the pelts,and sways among the outcasts.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:gest þú né geyjané á grind hrekir;get þú váluðum vel.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —don't bark at a guest,don't chase him off at the gate;treat the needy well.

Rammt er þat tréer ríða skalöllum at upploki;baug þú gefeða þat biðja munþér læs hvers á liðu.

Strong is the door-beamthat must be raisedto let everyone in —give a ring,or you'll feel itin every limb,the curse it can bring down on you.

Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfniren þú ráð nemir, -njóta mundu, ef þú nemrþér munu góð, ef þú getr -:hvars þú öl drekkirkjós þér jarðar meginþví at jörð tekr við ölðrien eldr við sóttumeik við abbindiax við fjölkynngihöll við hýrógi- heiftum skal mána kveðja, -beiti við bitsóttumen við bölvi rúnarfold skal við flóði taka.V.

I advise you, Loddfafnir — listen well:you'll profit if you learn this,it will serve you well if you take it to heart —wherever you're drinking ale,call on the strength of the earth —earth soaks up drink,fire cures sickness,oak cures a bound-up bowel,a grain-ear cures sorcery,a hall cures house-strife —call on the moon against hatred —grazing-grass cures a biting sickness,and runes cure harm;the ground will soak up the flood.V.

Veit ek, at ek hekkvindga meiði ánætr allar níugeiri undaðrok gefinn Óðnisjalfr sjalfum mérá þeim meiðier manngi veithvers af rótum renn.

I know that I hungon the windswept treefor nine long nights,wounded by a spear,given to Odin,myself to myself,on that treewhose rootsno one knows.

Við hleifi mik sælduné við hornigi;nýsta ek niðrnam ek upp rúnaræpandi namfell ek aftr þaðan.

No bread did they give me,no drink from the horn;I peered down,I seized the runes,screaming I seized them —then I fell back down.

Fimbulljóð níunam ek af inum frægja syniBölþorns, Bestlu föðurok ek drykk of gatins dýra mjaðarausinn Óðreri.

Nine mighty songs I learnedfrom the famous son of Bolthorn,Bestla's father,and I got a drinkof the precious mead,poured from Odrerir.

Þá nam ek frævaskok fróðr veraok vaxa ok vel hafaskorð mér af orðiorðs leitaðiverk mér af verkiverks leitaði.

Then I began to grow,to know,to thrive and prosper;one word led me to another word,one deed led me to another deed.

Rúnar munt þú finnaok ráðna stafimjök stóra stafimjök stinna stafier fáði fimbulþulrok gerðu ginnreginok reist hroftr rögna.

You will find runesand meaningful signs,very great signs,very strong signs,painted by the mighty sage,shaped by the high powers,carved by Hropt of the gods.

Óðinn með ásumen fyr alfum DáinnDvalinn ok dvergum fyrirÁsviðr jötnum fyrirek reist sjalfr sumar.

Odin among the Aesir,Dain for the elves,Dvalin for the dwarves,Asvid for the giants —and I myself carved some.

Veistu, hvé rísta skal?Veistu, hvé ráða skal?Veistu, hvé fáa skal?Veistu, hvé freista skal?Veistu, hvé biðja skal?Veistu, hvé blóta skal?Veistu, hvé senda skal?Veistu, hvé sóa skal?

Do you know how to carve them?Do you know how to read them?Do you know how to color them?Do you know how to test them?Do you know how to ask?Do you know how to offer?Do you know how to send an offering?Do you know how to slaughter one?

Betra er óbeðiten sé ofblótitey sér til gildis gjöf;betra er ósenten sé ofsóit.Svá Þundr of reistfyr þjóða rökþar hann upp of reiser hann aftr of kom.VI.

Better not to ask at allthan to sacrifice too much —a gift always looks for its return.Better not to send an offeringthan to over-slaughter one.So Thund carved,before the fate of nations,where he rose up,when he came back.VI.

Ljóð ek þau kanner kann-at þjóðans konaok mannskis mögr.Hjalp heitir eitten þat þér hjalpa munvið sökum ok sorgumok sútum görvöllum.

I know charmsthat no king's wife knows,and no man's son.The first is called Help —it will help youagainst grievances,grief, and every kind of sorrow.

Þat kann ek annater þurfu ýta synirþeir er vilja læknar lifa.

I know a second —one that healers need,anyone who means to practice medicine.

Það kann ek þriðja:ef mér verðr þörf mikilhafts við mína heiftmögueggjar ek deyfiminna andskotabíta-t þeim vápn né velir.

I know a third:if I badly needto bind my enemies,I blunt their blades —no weapon of theirs,no war-club, will cut.

Þat kann ek it fjórða:ef mér fyrðar berabönd að boglimumsvá ek gelat ek ganga másprettr mér af fótum fjöturren af höndum haft.

I know a fourth:if men bind fetterson my bent limbs,I chant a charmand I can walk —the shackle springs from my feet,the bond from my hands.

Þat kann ek it fimmta:ef ek sé af fári skotinnflein í folki vaðafýgr-a hann svá stinntat ek stöðvig-a-kef ek hann sjónum of sék.

I know a fifth:if I see an arrowshot in maliceflying through a crowd,it flies no fasterthan I can stop it,once my eyes are on it.

Þat kann ek it sétta:ef mik særir þegná vrótum hrás viðarok þann haler mik heifta kveðrþann eta mein heldr en mik.

I know a sixth:if a man harms mewith the roots of green wood,and calls down hatred on me —the harm eats him instead,not me.

Þat kann ek it sjaunda:ef ek sé hávan logasal of sessmögumbrennr-at svá breittat ek hánum bjargig-a-k;þann kann ek galdr at gala.

I know a seventh:if I see a hallburning higharound my companions,it won't burn so widethat I can't save it —I know the charm to sing.

Þat kann ek it áttaer öllum ernytsamligt at nema:hvars hatr vexmeð hildings sonumþat má ek bæta brátt.

I know an eighth,useful for everyone to learn:wherever hatred growsbetween men,I can settle it fast.

Þat kann ek it níunda:ef mik nauðr of stendrat bjarga fari mínu á flotivind ek kyrrivági áok svæfik allan sæ.

I know a ninth:if I urgently needto save my ship at sea,I calm the windover the wavesand put the whole ocean to sleep.

Þat kann ek it tíunda:ef ek sé túnriðurleika lofti áek svá vinnkat þær villar farasinna heimhamasinna heimhuga.

I know a tenth:if I see witchesflying through the air,I work it sothey lose their way home —out of their own shapes,out of their own minds.

Þat kann ek it ellifta:ef ek skal til orrostuleiða langviniund randir ek gelen þeir með ríki faraheilir hildar tilheilir hildi frákoma þeir heilir hvaðan.

I know an eleventh:if I must leadold friends into battle,I chant beneath the shieldsand they go out with strength —whole to the fight,whole from the fight,and whole they come home again.

Þat kann ek it tolfta:ef ek sé á tré uppiváfa virgilnásvá ek rístok í rúnum fákat sá gengr gumiok mælir við mik.

I know a twelfth:if I see, high in a tree,a hanged man swinging,I carve and color runesso that he climbs downand speaks with me.

Þat kann ek it þrettánda:ef ek skal þegn unganverpa vatni ámun-at hann fallaþótt hann í folk komihnígr-a sá halr fyr hjörum.

I know a thirteenth:if I sprinkle wateron a young man,he will not falleven in battle —that man won't go downunder swords.

Þat kann ek it fjögurtánda:ef ek skal fyrða liðitelja tíva fyrirása ok alfaek kann allra skil;fár kann ósnotr svá.

I know a fourteenth:if I must name the godsbefore a gathering of men,I know them all —the Aesir and the elves;few fools know that much.

Þat kann ek it fimmtándaer gól Þjóðrerirdvergr fyr Dellings durum:afl gól hann ásumen alfum framahyggju Hroftatý.

I know a fifteenth,which Thjodrerir the dwarf chantedbefore Delling's doors:strength he sang for the gods,glory for the elves,and wisdom for Hroptatyr.

Þat kann ek it sextánda:ef ek vil ins svinna manshafa geð allt ok gamanhugi ek hverfihvítarmri konuok sný ek hennar öllum sefa.

I know a sixteenth:if I wanta clever girl's whole heart and joy,I turn the thoughtsof that white-armed woman,and change her mind completely.

Þat kann ek it sjautjándaat mik mun seint firraskit manunga man.Ljóða þessamun þú, Loddfáfnirlengi vanr vera;þó sé þér góð, ef þú getrnýt ef þú nemrþörf ef þú þiggr.

I know a seventeenth:a young womanwill be slow to leave me.You'll go a long time, Loddfafnir,without these songs;yet they'd do you goodif you got them,useful if you learned them,needed if you took them to heart.

Þat kann ek it átjándaer ek æva kennikmey né manns konu- allt er betraer einn of kann;þat fylgir ljóða lokum, -nema þeiri einnier mik armi verreða mín systir sé.VII.

I know an eighteenth,which I never teachto any young woman, or another man's wife— everything is betterwhen only one person knows it;that's how these songs end —except for the one alonewho holds me in her arms,or who is my sister.VII.

Nú eru Háva málkveðin Háva höllu íallþörf ýta sonumóþörf jötna sonum;heill sá, er kvaðheill sá, er kannnjóti sá, er namheilir, þeirs hlýddu.

Now the sayings of the High Onehave been spoken,in the High One's hall —vital for the sons of men,useless to the sons of giants.Hail to the one who spoke them,hail to the one who knows them,may the one who learned them profit,hail to all who listened.