Lobotomist
05-16-2013, 02:47 PM
Today I would like to share with you a few proverbs from Scandinavia.
Feel free to post your own favorite Norse and Viking sayings in the comments below. :)
Danish Proverbs
Man må hyle med de ulve man er i blandt.
One must howl with the wolves one is among.
Den hund som bieffer meget, han bider ikkun lidet.
Barking dogs seldom bite.
Du skal kravle, før du kan gå.
You have to learn to crawl before you can walk.
Lidet er om den mans vrede, som ingen vurder.
If you cannot bite, never show your teeth.
Når man vil slå hunden finder man lätt en kæpp.
If you want to beat the dog, you will easily find a stick.
Norwegian Proverbs
Bra vind i ryggen er best.
A fair wind at our back is best.
Altfor reint har ingen smak.
Too clean has no taste.
Enn skal lytte, når en gammel hund gjø.
One should listen when an old dog barks.
Gammel kjærleik rustar ikkje.
Old love does not corrode.
Berre bok gjer ingen klok.
Merely book makes none wise.
Båtlaus mann er bunden til land.
Boatless man is tied to the land.
Dei galne har mange morosame stunder som den vettige ikkje har.
The maniacs have many funny hours that the sane guy does not have.
Swedish Proverbs
Bara döda fiskar följer strömmen.
Only dead fish follow the stream.
Det är som mörkast innan gryningen.
It is darkest before dawn.
Ensam är stark.
Alone is strong (You can accomplish a lot on your own).
Inga träd växer till himmelen.
No trees grow to the sky (Nothing lasts forever).
Ju senare på kvällen, desto vackrare folk.
The later in the evening, the more beautiful the people.
Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder.
There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.
Det som göms i snö, kommer fram vid tö.
What is hidden in snow, is revealed at thaw.
Icelandic Proverbs
Neyðin kennir naktri konu að spinna.
The necessity teaches a naked woman how to spin.
Sjaldan er ein báran stök.
There seldom is a single wave.
Árinni kennir illur ræðari.
A bad rower blames the oar.
Ber er hver að baki nema sér bróður eigi.
Bare is the back of a brotherless man.
Brennt barn forðast eldinn.
A burnt child keeps away from fire.
Linur bartskeri gjörir fúin sár.
Mild physician – putrid wounds (idiomatic translation).
Kemst þó hægt fari.
You will reach your destination even though you travel slowly.
Feel free to post your own favorite Norse and Viking sayings in the comments below. :)
Danish Proverbs
Man må hyle med de ulve man er i blandt.
One must howl with the wolves one is among.
Den hund som bieffer meget, han bider ikkun lidet.
Barking dogs seldom bite.
Du skal kravle, før du kan gå.
You have to learn to crawl before you can walk.
Lidet er om den mans vrede, som ingen vurder.
If you cannot bite, never show your teeth.
Når man vil slå hunden finder man lätt en kæpp.
If you want to beat the dog, you will easily find a stick.
Norwegian Proverbs
Bra vind i ryggen er best.
A fair wind at our back is best.
Altfor reint har ingen smak.
Too clean has no taste.
Enn skal lytte, når en gammel hund gjø.
One should listen when an old dog barks.
Gammel kjærleik rustar ikkje.
Old love does not corrode.
Berre bok gjer ingen klok.
Merely book makes none wise.
Båtlaus mann er bunden til land.
Boatless man is tied to the land.
Dei galne har mange morosame stunder som den vettige ikkje har.
The maniacs have many funny hours that the sane guy does not have.
Swedish Proverbs
Bara döda fiskar följer strömmen.
Only dead fish follow the stream.
Det är som mörkast innan gryningen.
It is darkest before dawn.
Ensam är stark.
Alone is strong (You can accomplish a lot on your own).
Inga träd växer till himmelen.
No trees grow to the sky (Nothing lasts forever).
Ju senare på kvällen, desto vackrare folk.
The later in the evening, the more beautiful the people.
Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder.
There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.
Det som göms i snö, kommer fram vid tö.
What is hidden in snow, is revealed at thaw.
Icelandic Proverbs
Neyðin kennir naktri konu að spinna.
The necessity teaches a naked woman how to spin.
Sjaldan er ein báran stök.
There seldom is a single wave.
Árinni kennir illur ræðari.
A bad rower blames the oar.
Ber er hver að baki nema sér bróður eigi.
Bare is the back of a brotherless man.
Brennt barn forðast eldinn.
A burnt child keeps away from fire.
Linur bartskeri gjörir fúin sár.
Mild physician – putrid wounds (idiomatic translation).
Kemst þó hægt fari.
You will reach your destination even though you travel slowly.