Alfaleith.org - The Poetic Edda

6. Of his understanding
no one should be proud,
but rather in conduct cautious.
When the prudent and taciturn
come to a dwelling,
harm seldom befalls the cautious;
for a firmer friend
no man ever gets
than great sagacity.

7. A way guest¹
who to refection comes,
keeps a cautious silence,
(Or/Wit is needful
to him who travels far:
harm seldom befalls the wary;)
with his ears listens,
and with his eyes observes:
so explores every prudent man.

8. He is happy,
who for himself obtains
fame and kind words:
less sure is that
which a man must have
in another's breast.

9. He is happy,
who in himself possesses
fame and wit while living;
for bad counsels
have oft been received
from another's breast.

10. A better burthen
no man bears on the way
than much good sense;
that is thought better than riches
in a strange place;
such is the recourse of the indigent.

1. In the Copenhagen paper Ms. F. this strophe begins with the following three lines: —

      Wit is needful
      to him who travels far:
      harm seldom befalls the wary:

They are printed in the Stockholm edition of the original Afzelius and Rask, and in the Swedish translations by Afzelius.

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