Henry Adams Bellows · stanza 26
1923An ignorant man thinks that all he knows,When he sits by himself in a corner;But never what answer to make he know.,When others with questions come.3 translations are aligned to this passage.
An ignorant man thinks that all he knows,When he sits by himself in a corner;But never what answer to make he know.,When others with questions come.A foolish manthinks he know everythingif placed in unexpected difficulty;but he knows notwhat to answer,if to the test he is put.The unwise man thinks all to knowwhile he sits in a sheltered nook;but he knows not one thing, what he shall answer,if men shall put him to proof.Hávamál, translated by Henry Adams Bellows, in The Poetic Edda (1923). Public-domain transcription sourced from Project Gutenberg ebook 73533.
Within the gates ere a man shall go, (Full warily let him watch,) Full long let him look about him; For little he knows where a foe may lur…
Read passage →Hail to the giver! a guest has come; Where shall the stranger sit? Swift shall he be who with swords shall try The proof of his might to ma…
Read passage →Fire he needs who with frozen knees Has come from the cold without; Food and clothes must the farer have, The man from the mountains come.
Read passage →Water and towels and welcoming speech Should he find who comes to the feast; If renown he would get, and again be greeted, Wisely and well…
Read passage →Only you can see these notes.
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