Wednesday, 8 January 2014

Havamal Snippets 117: Keep your weaknesses private

Never trust a person of ill repute, and especially don't tell them your weaknesses, because it will only bring you mis-fortune.  Used car salesman, bankers who sell pyramid schemes, politicians, girlfriends or whoever, don't touch them with an extendable barge pole.
 
117
Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir
en þú ráð nemir
njóta mundu ef þú nemr
þér munu góð ef þú getr
illan mann
láttu aldregi
óhöpp at þér vita
því at af illum manni
fær þú aldregi
gjöld ins góða hugar           
 
I advise you, Loddfafnir,
to take advice;
you would benefit, it you took it,
good will come to you, if you accept it:
[6] never allow
[5] a bad man
to know of your misfortune,
because from a bad man
you will never get
a good return for your good will.

[End.]

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