Henry Adams Bellows · stanza 55
1923A measure of wisdom each man shall have,But never too much let him know;For the wise man’s heart is seldom happy,If wisdom too great he has won.55-56. The first pairs of lines are abbreviated in the manuscript.Hávamál · Hávamál proper
Henry Adams Bellows stanza 55
3 translations are aligned to this passage.
View all translations together3 editions
Other translations of this passage
Benjamin Thorpe · stanza 55
1866Moderately wiseshould each one be,but never over-wise;for a wise man’s heartis seldom glad,if he is all-wise who owns it.Olive Bray · stanza 55
1908Wise in measure should each man be;but let him not wax too wise;seldom a heart will sing with joyif the owner be all too wise.Source
The Poetic Edda: Translated from the Icelandic with an Introduction and Notes
Hávamál, translated by Henry Adams Bellows, in The Poetic Edda (1923). Public-domain transcription sourced from Project Gutenberg ebook 73533.
- Translator or editor
- Henry Adams Bellows
- Published
- 1923
- License
- Public domain in the United States
- Text source
- Project Gutenberg
Related passages
Passage 001
Henry Adams Bellows stanza 1
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 →Passage 002
Henry Adams Bellows stanza 2
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 →Passage 003
Henry Adams Bellows stanza 3
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 →Passage 004
Henry Adams Bellows stanza 4
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 →Your study notes
My notes
Only you can see these notes.
Reader discussion
Reader Discussion
Discussion reflects individual readers and community members. It is not part of the original text or published commentary.
No discussion has been started here yet.