1: Before you step into a home, always look around and examine the area, for you never know if enemies are present.
2: Appreciate those who offer hospitality. When a guest arrives, the host should find a suitable place for him. He who is forced to sit on the edge will quickly feel his status.
3: Anyone who arrives cold and tired needs fire to warm themselves. Likewise, they need food and clothing if they have traveled far.
4: The one who comes to another’s home needs water to wash, a towel to dry, and a warm welcome. Words spoken and mutual respect are important.
5: Anyone who travels needs wisdom. It is easy to be wise at home, but among strangers, ignorance can quickly become apparent.
6: One should not boast too much. It is better to be cautious and reserved, especially when in another’s home. Wisdom is the best friend one can have.
7: The cautious guest observes in silence, listens with their ears, and evaluates with their eyes before speaking.
8: The one who earns praise and goodwill is fortunate. It is hard to bear the burden of trusting others when you do not know their thoughts.
9: The one who has both praise and wisdom lives well. Bad advice taken from others can lead to misfortune.
10: There is no better burden to bear than wisdom. It is better than wealth in foreign lands and helps one survive.
11: Wisdom is the best companion, and the worst burden is overindulgence in alcohol.
12: People often talk about how good beer is, but it can easily get out of hand and lead to loss of self-control.
13: "The heron of forgetfulness" (a bird representing forgetfulness) hovers over drinks, and it steals a man’s mind. It is easy to lose control.
14: I got drunk at Fjalar’s (a wise giant) house. The best part of drinking is when you regain your consciousness.
15: A king should be quiet, wise, and brave, but also happy and cheerful until he faces his destiny.
16: A foolish man thinks he will live forever if he avoids fights, but old age brings no peace, even if he avoids the warrior’s death.
17: A foolish man stares and talks or mumbles in company. Everything becomes obvious when he drinks too much.
18: Only the one who has traveled far and wide knows how people behave. He who knows nothing of the world does not understand how to act among people.
19: Hold on to your cup and drink moderately. Speak only when necessary, or remain silent. No one will criticize you if you go to bed early.
20: A greedy man will eat himself to death. He will often be laughed at when sitting among wise men.
21: Human greed: Just as animals know when to stop eating and go home, people should also learn to control their urge to eat.
22: The traps of laughter: A person who is foolish and ill-tempered will often laugh at everything because they do not understand the seriousness of the situation or their own flaws.
23: The burden of worry: The one who worries about everything will find no rest, even if he stays awake all night. Worry does not lead to solutions.
24: False friends: A naive person believes that everyone who smiles and laughs with him is his friend, but he does not understand that some may speak ill of him behind his back.
25: The lack of true friends: The naive man only discovers that he has few true friends when he attends a meeting or gathering where important decisions are made.
26: False confidence: An ignorant person believes he knows everything when he is safe at home, but when faced with challenges, it becomes clear that he knows very little.
27: The importance of listening: It is better to be silent and listen than to speak too much and reveal one's ignorance. A person who knows little but talks a lot will quickly be exposed.
28: The importance of knowledge: The one who can ask questions and listen to the answers will be considered wise. No one can hide their ignorance for long.
29: Dangerous words: A quick-talking person who does not think about their words can easily create problems for themselves. It is important to think before you speak.
30: Respect for others: Do not mock others, especially in hospitable settings, for everyone has something to offer, even if it is not always visible.
31: Avoiding conflicts: It is best to avoid conflicts, especially when you are a guest in someone else’s home. Speaking ill of the host can only lead to problems.
32: Disagreements between friends: Even the best friends can become enemies, and it is often small things that create discord. Therefore, it is important to cherish friendships.
33: Moderate eating: When attending a feast, one should eat moderately and not be greedy. Eating too much can lead to shame and ridicule.
34: Good and bad friends: It is better to visit a good friend, even if he lives far away, than a bad friend, even if he lives nearby. Friendships must be nurtured.
35: Avoid being a burden: A guest who stays too long will eventually become unwelcome. Therefore, it is important to leave before you wear out your welcome.
36: The value of home: Even if you have a small home, it is better than living with others and being dependent on their goodwill. Having your own home, no matter how small, gives you freedom.
37: The pride in self-sufficiency: Even if you have little, it is better to have your own than to beg from others. Being self-sufficient is a source of pride.
38: The importance of carrying weapons: One should always carry their weapons when traveling, as you never know when you might need them.
39: Limits to generosity: No one is so generous that they will always give. Even the most generous person will sometimes feel taken advantage of.
40: Moderation: One should use their wealth wisely. Saving too much can lead to bitterness and jealousy, while generosity can lead to true friendships.
41: The gift of friendship: Friends should delight each other with gifts that show mutual respect and care. The best friends are those who give and receive gifts from each other because it strengthens the friendship.
42: Reciprocity in friendship: A man should be kind to his friend and reciprocate a gift with a gift. Laughter should be met with laughter, and trust with honesty.
43: Choosing friends: One should choose their friends carefully and not befriend the enemy’s friend, as it can lead to problems.
44: Good friendships: If you have a friend you trust, you should visit him often, exchange thoughts and gifts. Frequent visits strengthen the friendship.
45: Suspicious friends: If you have a friend you do not fully trust, you should still act kindly toward him but be cautious and always be ready to defend yourself.
46: Friendship and mistrust: If you suspect that your friend is not sincere, you should still act kindly but be on guard and not be fooled.
47: The importance of companionship: When I was young and traveled alone, I felt lost until I found a friend. People need each other’s company to thrive.
48: The importance of generosity: The most successful people are those who are generous and brave. They rarely worry and live happily, while those who are petty often live in fear and worry.
49: Friendship through gifts: I gave my old clothes to two wooden figures, and even though it was not much, they felt honored. Even small gifts can create friendships.
50: The dwindling nature of friendship: A tree that stands alone in a field will wither, just like a man who has no one to love him. People need companionship to flourish.
51: Fleeting friendship: Friendships that burn brightly and quickly can often be extinguished just as quickly, and within a short time, all friendship can be gone.
52: Small gifts mean a lot: Even small gifts, like half a loaf of bread or a simple cup, can be enough to win a friend.
53: Human wisdom varies: People’s wisdom varies, just as beaches and lakes differ. Not all people are equally wise.
54: Measured amount of wisdom: It is best to be wise in moderation. The one who knows too much rarely finds joy in life.
55: The limit of knowledge: Too much knowledge can be a burden. It is better to live with some ignorance, as it can lead to a more carefree life.
56: Unknown fate: No one knows their own fate, and it is best that way, for if one knew of all future sorrows, they would never find peace.
57: Friendship grows: Just as fire is kindled by flames, human friendship grows when it is shared among people.
58: Early rising: It is important to rise early and take care of your tasks, as the one who sleeps too long never achieves success.
59: Diligence is important: Early rising and diligence are the keys to success. Laziness only leads to poverty.
60: The importance of resources: It is important to have the necessary materials, such as wood for building or warmth, as preparation and planning ensure long-term success.
61: Behavior in company: When attending the assembly (a gathering or meeting), one should be clean and well-prepared, even if not dressed in the finest clothes. It is more important to have tidy shoes and pants and not be dirty, as it is better to be modest and clean than flashy and unkempt.
62: Loneliness in company: When a man finds himself among many strangers, he can feel alone and awkward, like an eagle staring at the water. It is hard to feel secure among strangers without the support of friends.
63: The importance of conversation: It is wise to ask and listen, as this is the path to knowledge. The art of keeping secrets is just as important; what three know, the whole world knows.
64: The power of moderation: Any powerful person should exercise moderation. When among equals, it is important to remember that no one is invincible.
65: Caution in speech: One must be careful with what they say about others, for revenge can often be received for one's words.
66: The host and the guest: When you are the host, it is important to welcome your guests, even if they arrive early or late. A friendly home is better than an empty door.
67: Sharing with friends: If you have two pieces of food, it is best to share with your friend. A good friend is better than having everything for yourself.
68: The importance of warmth and health: Fire is the best thing for man, and sunlight is invaluable. Health and living without disease are the most important things for man.
69: Different forms of wealth: No one is entirely poor if they have children, friends, wealth, or the ability to do good deeds. All these things bring value to life.
70: Life is better than death: It is better to live than to be dead, even if you have very little. Life gives the opportunity to accumulate wealth and experiences.
71: Survival despite disability: A lame man can still ride, a one-handed man can guard a flock, and a deaf man can fight and win. It is better to be alive and have some function than to be dead.
72: The importance of children: A son, even if born late in his father’s life, is still a blessing. Children are the legacy of the living, and they raise monuments for the dead.
73: The power of words: Words can be stronger than swords. Even the strongest men can be defeated by a well-chosen word.
74: The fear of the night: Night brings fear to those who travel without trusting their fate. The ship’s rigging is short, and the wind is unstable. One never knows what tomorrow will bring.
75: The dangers of ignorance: The one who knows nothing is easily mocked by others. People are different; some are rich, while others are poor, but all should be respected.
76: Fame endures: Wealth and relatives die, but a good reputation never dies. The one who wins a good name will be remembered forever.
77: The reality of mortality: Wealth and relatives will die, and you yourself will also die. The only thing that lives on is your legacy.
78: Fleeting wealth: I have seen great wealth disappear from those who once owned it. Wealth is fleeting and unstable, like a flickering fire.
79: The blindness of greed: An ignorant person who becomes rich believes he knows everything, but his ignorance is only reinforced. Greed prevents one from learning true wisdom.
80: The importance of silence: Runes and powerful words must be treated with respect. The wisest are those who know when to remain silent.
81: Judgment of the day: One should not praise the day until it is over, a woman until she is married, a sword until it is tested, a girl until she is grown, ice until it is crossed, or beer until it is drunk.
82: Right timing: Strike in the wind, row at sea in good weather, speak in the dark because many eyes see during the day. Use the shield for protection, the sword for battle, and a woman for love.
83: Precautions: Drink beer by the fire, skate on ice, buy a hungry horse and a worn sword, and feed a horse at home and a dog by the house.
84: The unreliability of women: One should not fully trust women, as their hearts are fickle like a cart on a wheel. They are made to be changeable and can be hard to understand.
85: Beware of dangers: The poem warns against trusting certain things, such as a burning bow, a blazing flame, a wolf showing its teeth, a crowing cock, a roaring pig, the roots of a tree, a rising wave, or a boiling cauldron. These are all things that can be dangerous or unpredictable.
86: More things to be cautious of: You should also be careful with a flying arrow, a breaking wave, ice that is only one night old, a twisted snake, a king’s anger, a newlywed bride, or a sword that has been shattered. All these things can be dangerous.
87: Dangerous things: The poem continues to mention that a sick calf, a thrall who has chosen his master, a wise woman’s predictions, or a dying man are all things to be careful with, as they can be unstable or unreliable.
88: Warnings about investment: It is dangerous to rely on a field that has not yet been sown, or on a son who has not yet been born. Both are uncertain investments because the outcome is unknown.
89: Warning against trust: If you meet your brother’s murderer, or a house that is half-burned, a fast horse, or a stray dog, do not trust them. They can bring trouble or be unpredictable.
90: The fickle minds of women: A woman’s mind is like a cart on slippery ice, an untamed horse, or a deranged boat in a storm. Women who think evil are hard to trust, as their minds are fleeting and unpredictable.
91: The hearts of women: Men’s hearts can be just as treacherous as women’s. When we smile the most, it is because we are thinking of how to deceive someone.
92: The art of winning a woman’s heart: If you want to win a woman’s love, you must speak beautifully to her and give her gifts. Promise her good things, and keep your promises, as no one can resist beauty and prosperity.
93: Avoiding jealousy: Men should not become jealous of others’ love, for often the wise will get what the fool will never have, simply because the wise understand how to win love.
94: The power of love: The power of love can turn a wise man into a fool and lead even the strongest men to do foolish things in the name of love.
95: The sorrow of unrequited love: Only the heart knows its own sorrows. There is no worse disease than not being able to find peace within oneself when one is in unrequited love.
96: The pain of longing: The poem speaks of the pain that accompanies love and longing, especially when one longs for something they can never have.
97: Odin’s love pain: Odin remembers how he found and loved a maiden who slept as white as snow. But even the greatest joy can lead to great pain when it is lost.
98: The power of fate: Fate is unavoidable. Odin was lured back to his beloved, but only found disappointment when their meeting was prevented by others.
99: Odin’s deception: When Odin tried to win back his beloved’s favor, he found only an empty promise, a laugh, and a watchful household that prevented any intimacy.
100: Odin’s lost love: Odin describes how he found his beloved, but in the end, he found only a dog tied to her bed. The warm love had turned cold, and he left the place disappointed.
101: Early in the morning, when I came to the hall, the company was still asleep. I found a dog tied to the bed of the good woman.
102: Many women are good if you examine them closely, but they can be deceitful toward men. I experienced this when I tried to pursue the wise woman with flattery. She mocked me, and I achieved nothing with her.
103: A man should be happy at home and hospitable to guests. He should be cautious, attentive, and talkative if he wishes to learn something new. He should often remember the good. The one who cannot say much is called a fool, and it is one of the unsmart qualities.
104: I sought the old giant, and now I have returned. I could not stay silent there. I spoke many words to my advantage in Suttung’s hall.
105: Gunnlöd gave me a seat on a golden chair and let me drink the precious mead. I repaid her poorly for her whole heart and deep soul.
106: I let Ratatosk (a squirrel) gnaw on the stone, and I got space to pass through. Over and under were the paths of the giants, and I risked my life.
107: I have used the well-bought color well, for there is no shortage of knowledge now that Óðrerir (one of the three mead vessels) has come to the world of men.
108: I doubt that I would have ever come out of the halls of the giants if I had not enjoyed Gunnlöd, the good woman who laid her arm around me.
109: Early in the morning, the frost giants came to ask Hávi (Odin's) advice in Hávi's hall. They asked if Bolverkr (Odin’s alias) had returned to the bonds or if he had escaped Suttung’s captivity.
110: I believe Odin kept his promise on the rings (an oath), but what should one believe about his promises? He betrayed Suttung and made Gunnlöd cry after abducting the mead.
111: It is time to recite at the wise man's chair by Urd's well. I saw and was silent, I saw and thought, and I listened to the speech of men. I heard about runes being discussed and advice given in Hávi's hall, in Hávi's hall I heard it said:
112: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Do not rise at night unless you are on important business or looking for a place outside.
113: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Never sleep in the arms of a woman with great knowledge, so she can trap you in her limbs.
114: She will do so that you are not attentive to meetings or matters of importance. You will not desire food or any pleasure, and you will go to bed with sorrow in your heart.
115: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Never desire another man's woman or let her tempt you.
116: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. When you are on the mountain or by the fjord, and you need to travel, be careful to assess the conditions.
117: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice: You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Never let an evil man know about your misfortunes, for you will never gain anything good from an evil man.
118: I saw a single case where a man was killed by a wicked woman’s words. A treacherous tongue was his end, and it without any real reason.
119: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. If you have a friend whom you trust, visit him often, or the path will grow over with grass and bushes if no one walks on it.
120: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Have fun with a good man, but learn helpful songs while you live.
121: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Never be the first to break a friendship, for sorrow eats the heart if you cannot confide in anyone about your feelings.
122: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Never argue with a foolish man.
123: For you will never gain any reward from an evil man, but a good man can make you honored and strong with praise.
124: When a person chooses to reveal all their thoughts to another, their fates intertwine. Everything is better than being false, a friend who only says what you want to hear is no real friend.
125: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Never fight with three words against a lesser man, for often the better fails when the worse is on the field.
126: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Never be a shoemaker or shaft-maker unless you work for yourself. For if the shoe is poorly made, or the shaft is crooked, you will be blamed for it.
127: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. If you know something is evil, declare it evil, and do not give your enemies peace.
128: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Never rejoice in evil, but rejoice in the good.
129: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice: You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Never raise your head in a battle, for then men can see your weaknesses and aim at them.
130: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. If you want to make a good woman love you, promise her beautiful things and make sure your promises hold, no one will tire of the good if they receive it.
131: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Be careful, but not too careful, be most wary of alcohol, other men's women, and thirdly, that thieves do not play with you.
132: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Never mock or scorn a guest or someone on their way in.
133: Often you do not know what relatives they have who come in, no man is so good that there is nothing wrong with him, or so bad that he is not good for something.
134: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Never laugh at an old, wise man, often there is much good in what the old say, words that come from a worn body that has hung among the high and scraped against shields and mingled among warriors.
135: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Never assault or frighten a guest at your door, be kind to those who are wandering.
136: Strong is the door that must be opened for all, give a ring (a gift), or one will be asked for, and you will wish you had given something earlier.
137: I advise you, Loddfáfnir, and you should listen to my advice. You will benefit from them if you learn them, they will be good for you if you remember them. Wherever you drink beer, choose a place on the ground, for the ground absorbs the alcohol, the fire takes care of diseases, oak trees against witchcraft, grain against enchantment, a house against quarrels, one should call upon the moon against hatred - grass against cattle wounds, runes against evil, and the earth should receive the water floods.
138: I know that I hung on a windswept tree for nine nights, pierced by a spear, and offered to Odin, myself to myself, on that tree which no one knows where the roots come from.
139: They gave me neither bread nor drinking horn, I looked down, I picked up runes, screamed, and fell back from there.
140: I learned nine magical songs from the famous son of Bölthorn, Bestla’s father, and I drank the precious mead, poured from Óðrerir.
141: Then I grew and became wise, I grew and became strong, words begat words, deeds begat deeds.
142: You will find runes and words of wisdom, very powerful words, very strong words, which the great wise man colored and the mighty gods created, and Odin carved.
143: Odin among the gods, Dáinn for the elves, Dvalinn for the dwarves, Ásviðr for the giants, and I myself carved some.
144: Do you know how to carve them? Do you know how to interpret them? Do you know how to color them? Do you know how to test them? Do you know how to ask them? Do you know how to sacrifice them? Do you know how to send them? Do you know how to sacrifice them?
145: It is better not to ask than to sacrifice too much, a gift requires a return gift, it is better not to send an offering than to waste it. Thus, Odin carved it before the fates of men, where he rose and returned.
146: I know these songs. As no king’s wife knows, and no human child. One is called "Help," and it will help you against all sorrow and pain.
147: I know another. Which people need if they want to live as healers.
148: I know a third. If I have a great need to quell my enemies, I dull their weapons so they do not bite.
149: I know a fourth. If someone binds me hand and foot, I sing a spell so the bonds spring from my hands, and the chains fall from my feet.
150: I know a fifth. If I see an arrow flying toward an enemy in battle, it will fly so slowly that I can stop it if I see it with my eye.
151: I know a sixth. If a man wounds me with a young branch, it will harm him more than it will harm me.
152: I know a seventh. If I see a high fire flare up around my friends, it cannot burn so fiercely that I cannot stop it. I know a spell to dampen the flames.
153: I know an eighth. It is useful for everyone to learn it. Wherever hatred arises among men, I can quickly resolve it.
154: I know a ninth. If I need to save my ship from a storm, I can calm the wind on the sea and dampen the entire wave motion.
155: I know a tenth. If I see witches riding on the ceiling, I can ensure that their wills will not find their way back to their own minds and bodies.
156: I know an eleventh. If I need to lead my loved ones into battle, I can sing under the shields, and they will go unscathed into battle and come unscathed from battle, they return home without loss.
157: I know a twelfth. If I see a hanged man in a tree, I can carve runes and make him descend and talk to me.
158: I know a thirteenth. If I need to bless a young man with water, he will not fall in battle, he will not be wounded by weapons.
159: I know a fourteenth. If I need to explain the gods to a group of people, I can distinguish between all gods, elves, and jotuns. Few people have this knowledge.
160: I know a fifteenth. The song that the dwarf Þjóðrerir sang in front of Delling's door. He sang strength to the Aesir, luck to the elves, and wisdom to Odin.
161: I know a sixteenth. If I desire the love and full trust of a wise man, I can turn the heart of any woman and change her mind.
162: I know a seventeenth. It will be difficult for anyone to turn their mind against me. These songs, Loddfáfnir, will benefit you for a long time, they will be useful for you if you learn them, good for you if you remember them, and necessary for you if you use them.
163: I know an eighteenth. I will never reveal it to any girl or woman unless she lies in my arms, or she is my sister.
164: Now Odin's speech is spoken in Odin's hall, very useful for the sons of men, unwanted for the sons of giants. Luck to the one who spoke, luck to the one who can, luck to the one who learned, and luck to those who listened.