Havamal (Sayings of the High One)

Credits and Licensing: Original author: Unknown

Translator: Olive Bray

Year of original or translation: 1000 AD

Any source archive/website: https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/havamal.html#lovequests

This edition was prepared and modified by Spark Visions, Inc. (dba Alexandria), https://seekalexandria.com, in 2025. An AI Summary has been added to the title page by Spark Visions, Inc. Original text from the public domain.

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Wisdom for Wanderers and Counsel to Guests (verses 1-79)

Maxims for All Men (verses 80-88)

Lessons for Lovers (verses 89-93)

Odin's Love Quests (verses 94-100)

Odin's Quest after the Song Mead (verses 101-108)

The Counseling of the Stray-Singer (verses 109-136)

Odin's Quest after the Runes (verses 137-144)

The Song of Spells (verses 145-164)

ere one enters, one should spy round, one should pry round for uncertain is the witting that there be no foeman sitting, within, before one on the floor say! where shall he sit within?

Much pressed is he who fain on the hearth would seek for warmth and weal. numbed with cold to the knee; food and clothing the wanderer craves who has fared o'er the rimy fell. drying and friendly bidding, marks of good will, fair fame if 'tis won, and welcome once and again. aught simple will serve at home; but a gazing-stock is the fool who sits mid the wise, and nothing knows. 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 friend than the wealth of mother wit. keep silent with sharpened hearing; with his ears let him listen, and look with his eyes; thus each wise man spies out the way. fair fame and kindly words; but uneasy is that which a man doth own while it lies in another's breast. praise and wisdom in life; for oft doth a man ill counsel get when 'tis born in another's breast. on the way than his mother wit; 'tis the refuge of the poor, and richer it seems than wealth in a world untried. on the way than his mother wit: and no worse provision can he carry with him than too deep a draught of ale. is the drinking oft of ale: for the more they drink, the less can they think and keep a watch o'er their wits. wiling away men's wits: with the feathers of that fowl I was fettered once in the garths of Gunnlos below. in that crafty Jötun's court.

But best is an ale feast when man is able to call back his wits at once. the prince's bairn should be.

Joyous and generous let each man show him until he shall suffer death. if he keep him safe from strife: but old age leaves him not long in peace though spears may spare his life. and mumble only, or mope; but pass him the ale cup and all in a moment the mind of that man is shown. and far has fared on the way, what manner of mind a man doth own who is wise of head and heart. speak needful words or none: none shall upbraid thee for lack of breeding if soon thou seek'st thy rest. eats to his own life's hurt: oft the belly of the fool will bring him to scorn when he seeks the circle of the wise. and turn them again from the grass; but never is found a foolish man who knows the measure of his maw. makes of all things mockery, and knows not that which he best should know, that he is not free from faults. and ponders everything over; when morning comes he is weary in mind, and all is a burden as ever. and flatter him are his friends, nor notes how oft they speak him ill when he sits in the circle of the wise. and flatter him are his friends; but when he shall come into court he shall find there are few to defend his cause. while he sits in a sheltered nook; but he knows not one thing, what he shall answer, if men shall put him to proof. when he come amid the crowd, for none is aware of his lack of wit if he wastes not too many words; for he who lacks wit shall never learn though his words flow ne'er so fast. and also answer back: the sons of men can no secret make of the tidings told in their midst. by him who ne'er holds his peace; the hasty tongue sings its own mishap if it be not bridled in. though he come as guest for a meal: wise enough seem many while they sit dry-skinned and are not put to proof. and runs from his wrath away; but none can be sure who jests at a meal that he makes not fun among foes. friends are divided at table; ever the source of strife 'twill be, that guest will anger guest. unless he visit a friend, or he sits and mopes, and half famished seems, and can ask or answer nought. e'en if he dwell on the way: but though far off fared, to a faithful friend straight are the roads and short. nor stay in the same place ever; if he bide too long on another's bench the loved one soon becomes loathed. each man is master at home; though he have but two goats and a bark-thatched hut 'tis better than craving a boon. each man is master at home; with a bleeding heart will he beg, who must, his meat at every meal. without his weapons of war; for unsure is the knowing when need shall arise of a spear on the way without. who was not gladdened with a gift, nor one who gave of his gifts such store but he loved reward, could he win it. of the wealth he has won in life; oft is saved for a foe what was meant for a friend, and much goes worse than one weens. so has one proved oneself; for friends last longest, if fate be fair who give and give again. and gift for gift bestow, laughter for laughter let him exchange, but leasing pay for a lie. to him and a friend of his; but let him beware that he be not the friend of one who is friend to his foe. from whom thou cravest good?

Share thy mind with him, gifts exchange with him, fare to find him oft. yet from whom thou cravest good?

Thou shalt speak him fair, but falsely think, and leasing pay for a lie. and whose mind thou dost misdoubt; thou shalt laugh with him but withhold thy thought, for gift with like gift should be paid. and bewildered seemed in the way; then I found me another and rich I thought me, for man is the joy of man. and nurses never a grief, for the fearful man is dismayed by aught, and the mean one mourns over giving. to two land-marks made as men; heroes they seemed when once they were clothed; 'tis the naked who suffer shame! nor bark nor needles shelter it; such is the man whom none doth love; for what should he longer live? for five days love will burn; bun anon 'tis quenched, when the sixth day comes, and all friendship soon is spoiled. praise oft is earned for nought; with half a loaf and a tilted bowl

I have found me many a friend. little are minds of men, for ne'er in the world were all equally wise, 'tis shared by the fools and the sage. but let him not wax too wise; for never the happiest of men is he who knows much of many things. but let him not wax too wise; seldom a heart will sing with joy if the owner be all too wise. but ne'er let him wax too wise: who looks not forward to learn his fate unburdened heart will bear. spark is kindled from spark, man unfolds him by speech with man, but grows over secret through silence. or life or wealth would win; scarce falls the prey to sleeping wolves, or to slumberers victory in strife. and see to his work himself; who sleeps at morning is hindered much, to the keen is wealth half-won. a man can know the measure, of fire-wood too which should last him out quarter and half years to come. though in garments none too new; thou shalt not shame thee for shoes or breeks, nor yet for a sorry steed. snatching after his prey, so comes a man into court who finds there are few to defend his cause. must ask and answer aright.

Let one know thy secret, but never a second, -- if three a thousand shall know. and use his might in measure, lest when he come his fierce foes among he find others fiercer than he. and slow to put faith in a friend. for the words which one to another speaks he may win reward of ill. and much too soon at some; drunk was the ale or yet unserved: never hits he the joint who is hated. had I needed no meat at my meals, or were two hams left hanging in the house of that friend where I had partaken of one. most sweet the sight of the sun; good is health if one can but keep it, and to live a life without shame. for some are blest in their bairns, some in their kin and some in their wealth, and some in working well. 'tis the living who come by the cow; I saw the hearth-fire burn in the rich man's hall and himself lying dead at the door. the deaf one can fight and prevail, 'tis happier for the blind than for him on the bale-fire, but no man hath care for a corpse. and before him the father be dead: seldom are stones on the wayside raised save by kinsmen to kinsmen. 'neath a rough hide a hand may be hid; he is glad at nightfall who knows of his lodging, short is the ship's berth, and changeful the autumn night, much veers the wind ere the fifth day and blows round yet more in a month. how one is the fool of another, for if one be rich another is poor and for that should bear no blame. thyself too soon must die, but one thing never, I ween, will die, -- fair fame of one who has earned. thyself too soon must die, but one thing never, I ween, will die, -- the doom on each one dead. who bear now a beggar's staff: brief is wealth, as the winking of an eye, most faithless ever of friends. wealth or a woman's love, pride waxes in him but wisdom never and onward he fares in his folly. those that are come from the gods, which the high Powers wrought, and which Odin painted: then silence is surely best.

a weapon when tried, a maid when married, ice when 'tis crossed, and ale when 'tis drunk. woo a maid in the dark, -- for day's eyes are many, -- work a ship for its gliding, a shield for its shelter, a sword for its striking, a maid for her kiss; buy a steed when 'tis lanky, a sword when 'tis rusty; feed thy horse neath a roof, and thy hound in the yard. nor the words which a woman says; for their hearts were shaped on a whirling wheel and falsehood fixed in their breasts. ravening wolf, or croaking raven, routing swine, or rootless tree, waxing wave, or seething cauldron,

85. flying arrows, or falling billow, ice of a nighttime, coiling adder, woman's bed-talk, or broken blade, play of bears or a prince's child,

86. sickly calf or self-willed thrall, witch's flattery, new-slain foe, brother's slayer, though seen on the highway, half burned house, or horse too swift -- be never so trustful as these to trust. nor yet in his son too soon; whim rules the child, and weather the field, each is open to chance. is the driving un-roughshod o'er slippery ice of a two year old, ill-tamed and gay; or in a wild wind steering a helmless ship, or the lame catching reindeer in the rime-thawed fell.

unfaithful is man to maid; we speak them fairest when thoughts are falsest and wile the wisest of hearts. 90. -- Let him speak soft words and offer wealth who longs for a woman's love, praise the shape of the shining maid -- he wins who thus doth woo.

91. -- Never a whit should one blame another whom love hath brought into bonds: oft a witching form will fetch the wise which holds not the heart of fools. for a folly which many befalls; the might of love makes sons of men into fools who once were wise. and sees where the soul is turned: no sickness seems to the wise so sore as in nought to know content.

in the reeds, and looked for my love; body and soul of me was that sweet maiden yet never I won her as wife. fairer than sunlight sleeping, and the sweets of lordship seemed to me nought, save I lived with that lovely form.

96.

"Yet nearer evening come thou, Odin, if thou wilt woo a maiden: all were undone save two knew alone such a secret deed of shame." and deemed my joy assured, for all her liking and all her love

I weened that I yet should win. were watching and waking all: with burning brands and torches borne they showed me my sorrowful way. the housefolk slept in the hall, but soon I found a barking dog tied fast to that fair maid's couch. is fickle found towards men: I proved it well when that prudent lass

I sought to lead astray: shrewd maid, she sought me with every insult and I won therewith no wife.

discreet shalt thou be in thy bearing, mindful and talkative, wouldst thou gain wisdom, oft making me mention of good.

He is "Simpleton" named who has nought to say, for such is the fashion of fools. little served my silence there; but whispering many soft speeches I won my desire in Suttung's halls. and made room to pass through the rock; while the ways of the Jötuns stretched over and under, I dared my life for a draught.

104. 'Twas Gunnlod who gave me on a golden throne a draught of the glorious mead, but with poor reward did I pay her back for her true and troubled heart. little is lacking to the wise, for the Soul-stirrer now, sweet Mead of Song, is brought to men's earthly abode. from the realms of the Jötun race, had I not served me of Gunnlod, sweet woman, her whom I held in mine arms. and entered the High One's Hall: they asked -- was the Baleworker back mid the Powers, or had Suttung slain him below? how shall one trust his troth? 'twas he who stole the mead from Suttung, and Gunnlod caused to weep.

109. 'Tis time to speak from the Sage's Seat; hard by the Well of Weird

I saw and was silent, I saw and pondered, I listened to the speech of men. was little withheld from their lips: at the High One's hall, in the High One's hall, I thus heard the High One say: -- they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: rise never at nighttime, except thou art spying or seekest a spot without. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: thou shalt never sleep in the arms of a sorceress, lest she should lock thy limbs; the council, or words of the king, nor care for thy food, or the joys of mankind, but fall into sorrowful sleep. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: seek not ever to draw to thyself in love-whispering another's wife. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: should thou long to fare over fell and firth provide thee well with food. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: tell not ever an evil man if misfortunes thee befall, from such ill friend thou needst never seek return for thy trustful mind. by the words of an evil woman; a lying tongue had bereft him of life, and all without reason of right. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: hast thou a friend whom thou trustest well, fare thou to find him oft; for with brushwood grows and with grasses high the path where no foot doth pass. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: in sweet converse call the righteous to thy side, learn a healing song while thou livest. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: be never the first with friend of thine to break the bond of fellowship; care shall gnaw thy heart if thou canst not tell all thy mind to another. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: never in speech with a foolish knave shouldst thou waste a single word. for reward of thine own good will; but a righteous man by praise will render thee firm in favour and love. all his whole mind to another; there is nought so vile as a fickle tongue; no friend is he who but flatters. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: oft the worst lays the best one low. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: be not a shoemaker nor yet a shaft maker save for thyself alone: let the shoe be misshapen, or crooked the shaft, and a curse on thy head will be called. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: when in peril thou seest thee, confess thee in peril, nor ever give peace to thy foes. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: rejoice not ever at tidings of ill, but glad let thy soul be in good. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: look not up in battle, when men are as beasts, lest the wights bewitch thee with spells. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: wouldst thou win joy of a gentle maiden, and lure to whispering of love, thou shalt make fair promise, and let it be fast, -- none will scorn their weal who can win it. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: I pray thee be wary, yet not too wary, be wariest of all with ale, with another's wife, and a third thing eke, that knaves outwit thee never. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: hold not in scorn, nor mock in thy halls a guest or wandering wight. what manner of man is come: none is found so good, but some fault attends him, or so ill but he serves for somewhat. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: hold never in scorn the hoary singer; oft the counsel of the old is good; come words of wisdom from the withered lips of him left to hang among hides, to rock with the rennets and swing with the skins. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: growl not at guests, nor drive them from the gate but show thyself gentle to the poor. for the entering in of all.

Shower thy wealth, or men shall wish thee every ill in thy limbs. they will be thy boon if thou obey'st them, they will work thy weal if thou win'st them: when ale thou quaffest, call upon earth's might -- 'tis earth drinks in the floods.

Earth prevails o'er drink, but fire o'er sickness, the oak o'er binding, the earcorn o'er witchcraft, the rye spur o'er rupture, the moon o'er rages, herb o'er cattle plagues, runes o'er harm.

nine whole days and nights, stabbed with a spear, offered to Odin, myself to mine own self given, high on that Tree of which none hath heard from what roots it rises to heaven.

I peered right down in the deep; crying aloud I lifted the Runes then back I fell from thence. son of Bale-thorn, Bestla's sire; I drank a measure of the wondrous Mead, with the Soulstirrer's drops I was showered.

I grew and waxed in wisdom; word following word, I found me words, deed following deed, I wrought deeds. many symbols of might and power, by the great Singer painted, by the high Powers fashioned, graved by the Utterer of gods.

Dvalin the Dallier for dwarfs, All-wise for Jötuns, and I, of myself, graved some for the sons of men. dost know how to paint, dost know how to prove, dost know how to ask, dost know how to offer, dost know how to send, dost know how to spend? like the gift should be the boon; better not to send than to overspend. ........

Thus Odin graved ere the world began; Then he rose from the deep, and came again.

nor queen in a king's court knows; the first is Help which will bring thee help in all woes and in sorrow and strife. must sing, who would heal the sick. of a spell to stay my foes; when I sing that song, which shall blunt their swords, nor their weapons nor staves can wound. in chains the joints of my limbs, when I sing that song which shall set me free, spring the fetters from hands and feet. speeding a shaft through the host, flies it never so strongly I still can stay it, if I get but a glimpse of its flight. in runes on a moist tree's root, on his head alone shall light the ills of the curse that he called upon mine. high o'er the bench-mates blazing, flame it ne'er so fiercely I still can save it, -- I know how to sing that song. for their weal if they learn it well; where hate shall wax 'mid the warrior sons, I can calm it soon with that song. to save my vessel afloat, I hush the wind on the stormy wave, and soothe all the sea to rest. ride and sport in the air, such spells I weave that they wander home out of skins and wits bewildered. my old comrades out to war, I sing 'neath the shields, and they fare forth mightily safe into battle, safe out of battle, and safe return from the strife. a corpse from a halter hanging, such spells I write, and paint in runes, that the being descends and speaks. of a warrior I sprinkle with water, that youth will not fail when he fares to war, never slain shall he bow before sword. the Powers to the people of men, I know all the nature of gods and of elves which none can know untaught. the dwarf, at the gates of Dawn; he sang strength to the gods, and skill to the elves, and wisdom to Odin who utters.

I would win from some artful wench, her heart I turn, and the whole mind change of that fair-armed lady I love. is slow to shun my love. long shalt thou lack in life, though thy weal if thou win'st them, thy boon if thou obey'st them thy good if haply thou gain'st them. to maiden or wife of man save alone to my sister, or haply to her who folds me fast in her arms; most safe are secrets known to but one- the songs are sung to an end. for the weal of men, for the woe of Jötuns, Hail, thou who hast spoken! Hail, thou that knowest!

Hail, ye that have hearkened! Use, thou who hast learned!