Stanza 133

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Opt vitu ógörla þeir er sitja inni fyrir hvers þeir ro kyns er koma erat maðr svá góðr at galli ne fylgi né svá illr at einugi dugi	The sitters in the hall seldom know The kin of the new-comer: The best man is marred by faults, The worst is not without worth.	Oft scarcely he knows | who sits in the house What kind is the man who comes; None so good is found | that faults he has not, Nor so wicked that nought he is worth.	132. They know but unsurely who sit within what manner of man is come: none is found so good, but some fault attends him, or so ill but he serves for somewhat.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
Often those who sit inside do not know the kin of those who have arrived. No man is so good that he has no faults, none so evil that he is not worthy in some way.	Those who sit within hall oft hardly know of what kin be they who come; no man so flawless but some fault he has, [both foul and fair are found among men, blended within their breasts]	Those already arrived are often unable to tell a newcomer's kin; you'll never find a man without a fault or one so evil he's no use at all.	135. Vices and virtues the sons of mortals bear in their breasts mingled; no one is so good that no failing attends him, nor so bad as to be good for nothing.
Many editors reject the last two lines of this stanza as spurious, putting the first two lines at the end of the preceding stanza. Others, attaching lines 3 and 4 to stanza 132, insert as the first two lines of stanza 133 two lines from a late paper manuscript, running: "Evil and good | do men's sons ever "Mingled bear in their breasts."

Stanza 132

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr at háði né hlátri hafðu aldregi gest né ganganda	Mock not the traveler met On the road, Nor maliciously laugh at the guest:	I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: Scorn or mocking | ne'er shalt thou make Of a guest or a journey-goer.	131. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept my counsels, 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.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
I give you rede Loddfafnir, heed it well! You will use it, if you learn it, it will get you good if you understand it. Never make sport of guests and travelers.	Hear thou, Loddfafnir, and heed it well, learn it, 'twill lend thee strength, follow it, 'twill further thee: never laugh at or mock, or make game of, guest or wayfaring with.	Heed my words, Loddfafnir, listen to my counsel; you'll be better off if you believe me, follow my advice, and you'll fare well: don't mock a guest, and never make fun of a man you meet on the road!	134. With insult or derision treat thou never a guest or wayfarer, they often little know, who sit within, or what race they are who come.
Odin often traveled incognito.. the wayfarer in the floppy blue hat. You never know who that stranger on the road will be, what their story is, or what they are capable of.

Stanza 131

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
áðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr varan bið ek þik vera en eigi ofvaran ver þú við öl varastr ok við annars konu ok við þat it þriðja at þjófar ne leiki	Be not over wary, but wary enough, First, of the foaming ale, Second, of a woman wed to another, Third, of the tricks of thieves.	I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: I bid thee be wary, | but be not fearful; (Beware most with ale or another's wife, And third beware | lest a thief outwit thee.)	130. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept my counsels, 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.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
I give you rede Loddfafnir, heed it well! You will use it, if you learn it, and it will do you good if you understand it. Watch yourself, but don’t be overcautious. Be especially wary of ale and of another man’s wife. Thirdly, see that you are not tricked by con-men.	Hear thou, Loddfafnir, and heed it well, learn it, 'twill lend thee strength, follow it, 'twill further thee: be wary of thee, but not wary o'ver much; be most wary of ale and of other man's wife, and eke, thirdly, lest thieves outwit thee.	Heed my words, Loddfafnir, listen to my counsel; you'll be better off if you believe me, follow my advice, and you'll fare well: I bid you be careful, but don't overdo it; watch out for ale or another man's wife, and don't let thieves play you tricks.	133. I enjoin thee to be wary, but not over wary; at drinking be thou most wary, and with another’s wife; and thirdly, that thieves delude thee not.
The three downfalls of Man.. too much drink, a married woman, and the tricks of the con man. The first two often go hand in hand, I've found. Don't be a drunk. Don't sleep with another mans wife. Don't let the con man con you. These are fairly straight forward.

Stanza 130

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr ef þú vilt þér góða konu kveðja at gamanrúnum ok fá fögnuð af fögru skaltu heita ok láta fast vera leiðisk manngi gott ef getr	With a good woman, if you wish to enjoy Her words and her good will, Pledge her fairly and be faithful to it: Enjoy the good you are given,	I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: If thou fain wouldst win | a woman's love, And gladness get from her, Fair be thy promise | and well fulfilled; None loathes what good he gets.	129. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept my counsels, 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.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
I give you rede Loddfafnir, heed it well! You will use it, if you learn it, and it will do you good if you understand it. If you want a good woman, speak pleasure runes to her, Pledge your troth and hold fast to it if you want joy from her. None loathes good if she gets it.	Hear thou, Loddfafnir, and heed it well, learn it, 'twill lend thee strength, follow it, 'twill further thee: if thee list to gain a good woman's love and all the bliss there be, thy troth shalt pledge, and truly keep: no one tires of the good he gets.	Heed my words, Loddfafnir, listen to my counsel; you'll be better off if you believe me, follow my advice, and you'll fare well: if you want to win a woman's friendship and be in her good graces, make fair promises and fulfill them -- who tires of treasure if he gets it?	132. If thou wilt induce a good woman to pleasant converse, thou must promise fair, and hold to it; no one turns from good if it can be got.
This one is fairly straight forward, or at least it should be. If you want to keep your mate happy, don't lie. Listen to Eleven from Stranger Things, “Friends don't lie”.

Stanza 129

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr upp líta skalattu í orrostu gjalti glíkir verða gumna synir síðr þitt um heilli halir	Never lift your eyes and look up in battle, Lest the heroes enchant you, who can change warriors Suddenly into hogs,	I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: Look not up | when the battle is on,-- (Like madmen the sons | of men become,--) Lest men bewitch thy wits.	128. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept my counsels, 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.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
I give you rede Loddfafnir, heed it well! You will use it, if you learn it, and it will get you good if you understand it. Do not look up in battle. Sons of men become like hogs, when warriors enchant you.	Hear thou, Loddfafnir, and heed it well, learn it, 'twill lend thee strength, follow it, 'twill further thee: look not ever up, when fighting-- for mad with fear men then oft grow-- lest that warlocks bewitch thee.	Heed my words, Loddfafnir, listen to my counsel; you'll be better off if you believe me, follow my advice, and you'll fare well: never look up when you're locked in battle -- where many men go mad with fear -- an evil spell may strike you	131. I counsel thee, etc. In a battle look not up, (like swine the sons of men become) that men may not fascinate thee.
Focus on what is directly before you. Do not look up, don't lose your focus. What is most important is what is directly in front of you. This brings to mind he old saying, “How do you eat a wale? One bite at a time!”

Stanza 128

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr illu feginn verðu aldregi en lát þér at góðu getit	Never share in the shamefully gotten, But allow yourself what is lawful.	I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: In evil never | joy shalt thou know, But glad the good shall make thee.	127. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept my counsels, 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.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
I give you rede Loddfafnir, heed it well! You will use it, if you learn it, and it will get you good if you understand it, Never rejoice in evil, but always do good.	hear thou, Loddfafnir, and heed it well, learn it, 'twill lend thee strength, follow it, 'twill further thee: in ill deeds not ever share, but be thou glad to do good.	Heed my words, Loddfafnir, listen to my counsel; you'll be better off if you believe me, follow my advice, and you'll fare well: don't rejoice in evil deeds; be glad to do good.	130. I counsel thee, etc. Rejoiced at evil be thou never; but let good give thee pleasure.
Wheaton's Law is relevant here. If you do not know Wheaton's Law, it's really quite simple: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/wheatons-law

Stanza 127

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr hvars þú böl kannt kveðu þat bölvi at ok gefat þínum fjándum frið	If aware that another is wicked, say so: Make no truce or treaty with foes.	I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: If evil thou knowest, | as evil proclaim it, And make no friendship with foes.	126. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept my counsels, 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.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
I give you rede Loddfafnir, heed it well! You will use it, if you learn it, it will get you good if you understand it. If you know that someone is evil, say so. Never give friendship to your enemies.	Hear thou, Loddfafnir, and heed it well, learn it, 'twill lend thee strength, follow it, 'twill further thee: if wrong was done thee let thy wrong be known, and fall on they foes straightaway.	Heed my words, Loddfafnir, listen to my counsel; you'll be better off if you believe me, follow my advice, and you'll fare well: when evil strikes you, don't keep silent or let your foes find peace.	129. I counsel thee, etc. Wherever of injury thou knowest, regard that injury as thy own; and give to thy foes no peace.
Online has made this much easier today than it was in the age of our ancestors. A company do ya wrong? Leave them a bad review. Warn others of shoddy workmanship. Someone do ya wrong, personally? Blast them on facebook and twitter. Your woman cheat on you? Blast her on social media. Your man hit you? Blast him on social media. You wife steal half the food off your plate after she claimed to be full and didn't want you to grab her any more food? Well, deal with it, because that's part of being married.

Stanza 126

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr skósmiðr þú verir né skeptismiðr nema þú sjálfum þér sér skór er skapaðr illa eða skapt sé rangt þá er þér böls beðit	Be not a cobbler nor a carver of shafts, Except it be for yourself: If a shoe fit ill or a shaft be crooked"; The maker gets curses and kicks.	I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: A shoemaker be, | or a maker of shafts, For only thy single self; If the shoe is ill made, | or the shaft prove false, Then evil of thee men think.	125. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept my counsels, 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.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
I give you rede Loddfafnir, heed it well, You will use it, if you learn it, it will get you good if you understand it. Be not a maker of shoes or a shaper of shafts, unless they are for yourself. If the shoe is ill shaped, or the shaft is not straight, they will wish you ill.	Hear thou, Loddfafnir, and heed it well, learn it, 'twill lend thee strength, follow it, 'twill further thee: neither shoemaker be nor shaftmaker, either, but it be for thyself: let the shoe be ill shaped or the shaft not true, and they will wish thee woe.	Heed my words, Loddfafnir, listen to my counsel; you'll be better off if you believe me, follow my advice, and you'll fare well: don't make shoes and don't make spear-shafts except the ones you use yourself; a badly-fitted shoe or a crooked shaft leads to bad luck.	128. I counsel thee, etc. Be not a shoemaker, nor a shaftmaker, unless for thyself it be; for a shoe if ill made, or a shaft if crooked, will call down evil on thee.
Being a business owner myself, crafting items for the public, I have felt the backlash of unhappy customers myself. I strive for perfection in all my products, but the old saying “you can't please all the people all the time” is an apt one. If your vision isn't the same as their vision, you suffer the backlash yourself.

Stanza 125

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr þrimr orðum senna skalattu þér við verra mann opt inn betri bilar þá er inn verri vegr	Bandy no speech with a bad man: Often the better is beaten In a word fight by the worse.	I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: With a worse man speak not | three words in dispute, Ill fares the better oft When the worse man wields a sword.	124. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept my counsels, 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.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
I give you rede Loddfafnir, heed it well! You will use it, if you learn it, it will do you good if you understand it. Bandy not three words with a lesser man. Often the better man fails when the worse gets hostile.	Hear thou, Loddfafnir, and heed it well, learn it, 'twill lend thee strength, follow it, 'twill further thee: not three words shalt with a worse man bandy; oft the better man forbears when the worse man wounds thee.	Heed my words, Loddfafnir, listen to my counsel; you'll be better off if you believe me, follow my advice, and you'll fare well: don't offer three words to a man unworthy; good men come to grief when the worse make war.	127. I counsel thee, etc. Even in three words quarrel not with a worse man: often the better yields, when the worse strikes.
Bad men know how to twist words, and make things other than they are. They will do everything in their power to make you look the idiot, to prove their point or come out ahead.

Stanza 124

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Sifjum er þá blandat hverr er segja ræðr einum allan hug alt er betra en sé brigðum at vera era sá vinr öðrum er vilt eitt segir	Affection is mutual when men can open All their heart to each other: He whose words are always fair Is untrue and not to be trusted.	Mingled is love | when a man can speak To another all his thought; Nought is so bad | as false to be, No friend speaks only fair.	123. There is mingling in friendship when man can utter all his whole mind to another; there is nought so vile as a fickle tongue; no friend is he who but flatters.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
When each can speak all his mind to the other, friendship is shared. Anything is better than fickleness. He is no friend, whose words are always fair.	Then love is mingled when a man can say To a bosom friend what burdens him; few things are worse than fickle mind: no friend who but speaks thee fair.	True bonds are formed where men keep faith and don't hide their hearts. Anything is better than a breach of friendship -- a real friend will say what you'd rather not hear.	126. There is a mingling of affection, where one can tell another all his mind. Everything is better than being with the deceitful. He is not another’s friend who ever says as he says.
Recently, a very dear friend of mine was being, well, a dumbass. Because he is one I call Brother, it fell to me to call him out on his dumbassedness. I'm not one who will just smile and nod and be a “yes man”. Those “friends” aren't really friends. If you have a friend who will stand up and call you on your actions once in a while, know that they are true friends, and are simply trying to help you stay the course. Thankfully, Bob knows and trusts me, due to our long friendship, and was able to listen to the criticism, and change course. He has done the same for me in the past.

Stanza 123

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
því at af illum manni mundu aldregi góðs laun um geta en góðr maðr mun þik gørva mega líknfastan at lofi	A good man, if you make him your friend"; Will praise you in every place,	For never thou mayst | from an evil man A good requital get; But a good man oft | the greatest love Through words of praise will win thee.	122. From the lips of such thou needst not look for reward of thine own good will; but a righteous man by praise will render thee firm in favour and love.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
You will never get any good from an evil man. But a good man will get you the love and goodwill of many.	For from evil man not ever wilt thou get reward for good; a good man, though, will gain for thee the love and liking of many.	If a man's no good he will never give you your rightful reward; a worthy man will help you to win favor and fame.	125. for from an ill-conditioned man thou wilt never get a return for good; but a good man will bring thee favour by his praise.
We continue oin with the advice of who to be friends with, and who not to. DO you see a common theme between the last couple of stanzas? Surround yourself with good friends.

Stanza 122

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr orðum skipta þú skalt aldregi við ósvinna apa	An evil man, if you make him your friend, Will give you evil for good:	I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: Exchange of words | with a witless ape Thou must not ever make.	121. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept my counsels, 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.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
I give you rede Loddfafnir, heed it well! You will use it, if you learn it, it will get you good, if you understand it. Never bandy words with stupid apes.	Hear thou, Loddfafnir, and heed it well, learn it, 'twill lend thee strength, follow it, 'twill further thee: beware thou of bandying words with an unwise oaf,	Heed my words, Loddfafnir, listen to my counsel; you'll be better off if you believe me, follow my advice, and you'll fare well: if you are wise you'll exchange no words with fools you find on your way.	124. I counsel thee, etc. Words thou never shouldst exchange with a witless fool;
Many of us fall into this trap, especially on social media. Argue, prove facts, show truth all you want.. some idiots are just that, idits, and can't be dissuaded on their course. Don't waste your time there.

Stanza 121

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr vin þínum ver þú aldregi fyrri at flaumslitum sorg etr hjarta ef þú segja ne náir einhverjum allan hug	Cherish those near you, never be The first to break with a friend: Care eats him who can no longer Open his heart to another.	I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: Be never the first | to break with thy friend The bond that holds you both; Care eats the heart | if thou canst not speak To another all thy thought.	120. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept my counsels, 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.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
I give you rede Loddfafnir, heed it well! You will use it, if you learn it, it will get you good, if you understand it. Never be the first to forsake a friend. Sorrow eats the heart of he who can no longer speak his mind to anyone.	Hear thou, Loddfafnir, and heed it well, learn it, 'twill lend thee strength, follow it, 'twill further thee: the first be not with a friend to break who was faithful found to thee; for sorrow eateth the soul of him who may not unburden his mind.	Heed my words, Loddfafnir, listen to my counsel; you'll be better off if you believe me, follow my advice, and you'll fare well: always be faithful, never be the first to fail a friendship; grief consumes the heart that must take care to keep itself concealed.	123. I counsel thee, etc. With thy friend be thou never first to quarrel. Care gnaws the heart, if thou to no one canst thy whole mind disclose.
We continue with the words of advice concerning friends specifically. This stanza is warning us to cherish those friends we do have. Don't be the reason you are no longer friends.

Stanza 120

Original Old Norse:	Auden & Taylor:	Bellows:	Bray:
Ráðumk þér Loddfáfnir en þú ráð nemir njóta mundu ef þú nemr þér munu góð ef þú getr góðan mann teygðu þér at gamanrúnum ok nem líknargaldr meðan þú lifir	With a good man it is good to talk, Make him your fast friend: But waste no words on a witless oaf, Nor sit with a senseless ape.	I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: A good man find | to hold in friendship, And give heed to his healing charms.	119. I counsel thee, Stray-Singer, accept my counsels, 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.
Chisholm:	Hollander:	Terry:	Thorpe:
I give you rede Loddfafnir, heed it well! You will use it, if you learn it, it will get you good, if you understand it. Draw a good man to yourself with staves of joy, and you will have healing songs while you live.	hear thou, Loddfafnir, and heed it well, learn it, 'twill lend thee strength, follow it, 'twill further thee: a good man seek thou to gain as thy friend, and learn to make thyself loved.	Heed my words, Loddfafnir, listen to my counsel; you'll be better off if you believe me, follow my advice, and you'll fare well: rejoice in talk with a man you respect and learn healing spells all your life.	122. I counsel thee, etc. - A good man attract to thee in pleasant converse; and salutary speech learn while thou livest.
Especially today, with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.. it seems people are more concerned with the quantity of “friends”, as opposed to the quality. Life is not a race of seeing how many humans you can collect, but of surrounding yourself with those people who truly care, and will be there for you. Good friends are hard to find, so cherish the ones you have. Spend time with them. Share with them. Learn from them. Cherish them while you can.