3 translations are aligned to this passage.
A man shall not boast of his keenness of mind,But keep it close in his breast;To the silent and wise does ill come seldomWhen he goes as guest to a house;(For a faster friend one never findsThan wisdom tried and true.)Of his understandingno one should be proud,but rather in conduct cautious.When the prudent and taciturncome to a dwelling,harm seldom befalls the cautious;for a firmer friendno man ever getsthan great sagacity.At hyggjandi sinni skyli maþr hrœsinn vesa,heldr gǽtinn at geþi;þás horskr ok þögull kömr heimisgarþa til,sjaldan verþr víti vörum.þvit óbrigþra vin fǽr maþr aldri,an manvit mikit.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 friendthan the wealth of mother wit.Hávamál, translated by Henry Adams Bellows, in The Poetic Edda (1923). Public-domain transcription sourced from Project Gutenberg ebook 73533.
In a calf that is sick or a stubborn thrall, A flattering witch or a foe new slain.
Read passage →In a brother’s slayer, if thou meet him abroad, In a half-burned house, in a horse full swift— One leg is hurt and the horse is useless— No…
Read passage →Though glad at home, and merry with guests, A man shall be wary and wise; The sage and shrewd, wide wisdom seeking, Must see that his speec…
Read passage →I rede thee, Loddfafnir! and hear thou my rede,— Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: A good man find to hold…
Read passage →Only you can see these notes.
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