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THE CONDUCT OF LIFE THE HAVAMAL. 



Looks as if he were hungry, 

 And cannot talk. 



It is long out of one's way 

 To a bad friend, 

 Though he live on the road ; 

 But to a good friend 

 There are short paths 

 Though he be farther off. 



One should take leave, 

 The guest should not stay 

 Always in one place ; 

 The loved becomes loathed 

 If he sits too long 

 In another's house. 



A homestead is best 



Though it be small ; 



A man is master at home ; 



Though he has but two goats 



And a straw-thatched hall (house) 



It is better than begging. 



A homestead is best 



Though it be small ; 



A man is a man (master) at home ; 



Bleeding is the heart 



Of him who must beg 



His food for every meal. 



A man shall not on the ground 



Go a step forward 



Without his weapons ; 



For it is hard to know 



When out on roads 



If a man may need his spear. 



I never met a man 



So openhanded or free with his food 



That he would not take a gift, 



Nor one so lavish 



With his property 



That rewards were to him unwelcome. 



A man 



When he has gained property 

 Should not suffer want ; 

 What was meant for the loved 

 Is often spared for the hated ; 

 Many things go worse than expected. 



With weapons and clothes 



Such as are most sightly on oneself 



Shall friends gladden each other ; 



Givers and receivers 



Are the longest friends, 



If they give with good wishes. 



A man should be 

 A friend to his friend 

 And give gift for gift ; 

 Laughter for laughter 

 And lie for lie 

 Should men return. 



To his friend 



A man should be a friend, 



To him and his friend ; 



But no man 



Should be the friend 



Of his foe's friend. 



Know if thou hast a friend 



Whom thou trustest well 



And thou wilt good from him get, 



Thou must blend thoughts with him, 



And exchange gifts, 



Go often and meet him. 



If thou hast another 

 Whom thou trustest little 

 Yet wilt good from him get, 

 Kindly shalt thou talk to him, 

 But think deceitfully 

 And give lie back for lie. 



That is further from him 



Whom thou trustest little 



And whose mind thou suspectest, 



Thou shalt smile at him 



And speak contrary to thy thoughts, 



The reward should be like the gift. 



I once was young, 



I travelled alone, 



And missed my way ; 



I thought myself wealthy 



When I another met ; 



Man is the delight of man. 



Liberal and valiant 

 Men live best ; 



