Proverbs in Hrafnkels saga Freysgoða

Proverbs and proverbial materials in Hrafnkels saga Freysgoða.

Edition used. ÍF XI. Austfirðinga sögur. Þorsteins saga hvíta. Vápnfirðinga saga. Þorsteins þáttr stangarhöggs. Ölkofra þáttr. Hrafnkels saga Freysgoða. Droplaugarsona saga. Brandkrossa þáttr. Gunnars þáttr Þiðrandabana. Fljótsdœla saga. Þorsteins saga Síðu-Hallssonar. Draumr Þorsteins Síðu-Hallssonar. Þorsteins þáttr Austfirðings. Þorsteins þáttr sögufróða. Gull-Ásu-Þórðar þáttr. Jón Jóhannesson gaf út. Reykjavík, 1950.
Others.
Translations used. The Saga of Hrafnkel Frey's Godi, tr. Terry Gunnell, The Complete Sagas of Icelanders, ed. Viðar Hreinsson. Reykjavík, 1997. 5 vols. Vol. V, pp. 261-281.
Others.

Editorial comment: Several works by Hermann Pálsson are of particular use. His Úr Hugmyndaheimi Hrafnkels sögu og Grettlu, Studia Islandica 39, Reykjavík, 1981, abbraviated HP1, studies paroemial material and its continental backgrounds. An enumeration of such passages is in his Mannfræði Hrafnkels sögu og frumþættir, Reykjavík, 1988, abbrevaited HP2.

ÍF XI.   3. 102. Gér nú sem ek mæli, því at þat er forn orðskviðr, at eigi veldr sá, er varar annan.¹     ¹eigi – annan: veldrat sá, er varir C; varar svo B_1-2, varir hin, og svo er oft sagt.
CSI V.   4. Hrafnkell to Einar Thorbarnarson when warning him not to ride on Freyfaxi:
263. "Now do as I say, because there is an old saying that 'he who gives warning is not at fault'."
PC 40. Do as I tell you, for it’s an old saying that ‘warning wards off blame’.
TPMA 12.   355. WARNEN/prévenir/to warn 1. Wer warnt, ist nicht schuldig Nord. 1 Trautt kallak þann valda er varar Ich nenne denjenigen kaum schuldig, der warnt MÁLSHÁTTAKVÆÐI 19, 3 (= JÓNSSON, ARKIV 435). 2 Því at þat er forn orðskviðr, at eigi veldr sá, er varar annan Dann das ist ein altes Sprichwort, dass derjenige nicht schuldig ist, der einen andern warnt HRAFNKELS SAGA FREYSGOÐA 3 S. 102 (= JÓNSSON, ARKIV 435). 3 Veldrat sá er varar Wer warnt, ist nicht schuldig NJÁLS SAGA 41, 7 (= JÓNSSON, ARKIV 435. JÓNSSON 174). 4 Þad er fornn ordz-ku[idur], ad velldur-ad sa, er varar Das ist ein altes Sprichwort, dass der nicht schuldig ist, der warnt FLJÓTSDŒLA SAGA 103, 11. 5 Ecki velldur sa varer Der ist nicht schuldig, der warnt KÅLUND 190 (= JÓNSSON, ARKIV 435).
Ed. note. HP2 116.

ÍF XI.   3. 105. En við þann átrúnað, at ekki verði at²þeim mönnum, er heitstrengingar fella á sik, þá hljóp hann af baki til hans ok hjó hann banahögg. Eptir þat ríðr hann heim við svá búit á Aðalból ok segir þessi tíðendi.      ²Hér mun undanskilið eitthvert orð, sem merkir lán eða giftu, e.t.v. farnaði (smbr. Grípisspá, 16. vísu). – ekki: ekkert.
CSI V.   5. Hrafnkel to Einar before killing him:
265. Hrafnkel responded, "Why did you ride the horse that you were forbidden to ride when there were plenty of others that you had permission to take? I would have forgiven you this one time if I had not sworn such a serious oath, and you have owned up well. But we have the belief that nothing goes well for people when the words of an oath come down on them."
43. You’ve made a frank enough confession, but my faith tells me that nothing good can happen to people who break their solemn vows.
Ed. note. HP1 27-8, HP2 114.

ÍF XI. 3. 106. En vit munum opt þess iðrask, er vit erum of málgir, ok sjaldnar mundum vit þessa iðrask, þó at vit mæltim færa en fleira.
CSI V. 6. Hrafnkel to Thorbjorn, who has come to see him for compensation:
265. No great matter would have come up between Einar and myself if he had not ridden the horse. But we often have cause to regret having said too much, and we would more seldom have cause for regret if we spoke less rather than more."
43. How often we regret saying too much, and how seldom saying too little!
Ed. note. HP1 27-8, HP2 121-122.

ÍF XI. 3. 106. “En vit munum opt þess iðrask, er vit erum of málgir, ok sjaldnar mundum vit þessa iðrask, þó at vit mæltim færa en fleira. Mun ek þat nú sýna, at mér þykkir þetta verk mitt verra en önnur þau, er ek hefi unnit.”
CSI V. 6. Hrafnkel to Thorbjorn, who has come to see him for compensation:
265. No great matter would have come up between Einar and myself if he had not ridden the horse. But we often have cause to regret having said too much, and we would more seldom have cause for regret if we spoke less rather than more."
43. “How often we regret saying too much, and how seldom saying too little!”
Ed. note. HP1 39, HP2 121-122.

ÍF XI.   3. 106. Bjarni kvað eigi sitt jafnmenni við at eiga, þar er Hrafnkell er. "En þó at vér stýrim penningum miklum, þá megum vér ekki deila af kappi við Hrafnkel, ok er þat satt, at sá er svinnr, er sik kann. Hefir hann þá marga málaferlum vafit, er meira bein hafa í hendi haft en vér.”¹     ¹hafa mikit bein í hendi: hafa beinastóra hönd, (hér talsh.) vera voldugur.
CSI V.   6. Bjarni, to whom his brother Thorbjorn has come for support and who does not want to give it:
266. Bjarni said that he would not be dealing with an equal in the case of Hrafnkel: "Even if we had some money to dispose of, we mustn't get involved in a dispute with Hrafnkel. It's true that 'it's a wise man who knows himself'. Hrafnkel has complicated many law cases with stronger men than ourselves. I think you're stupid to have turned down such a good deal. I don't want any part of this."
44. “. . .it’s a true enough saying that he’s a wise man who knows himself.
TPMA 3.   28. ERKENNEN/(re)connaître/to recognize 12. Selbsterkenntnis 12.2. Beurteilung von Selbsterkenntnis 12.2.2. Wer sich selbst erkennt, ist weise Nord. 84 Ok er þat satt, at sá er svinnr, er sik kann Und das ist wahr, dass der klug ist, der sich kennt HRAFNKELS SAGA FREYSGOÐA 3 S. 106 (= JÓNSSON, ARKIV 403. JÓNSSON 163).
Ed. note.   See Kaaren Grimstand with Maria Bonner, "Sá er svinnr er sik kann: Persuasion and Image in Hrafnkels saga," Arkiv för nordisk filologi 118 (2003) 5-28.
Ed. note. HP1 40-42, HP2 119-120.

ÍF XI.   3. 108. Sámr svarar: "Ófúss geng ek at þessu. Meir geri ek þat fyrir frændsemi sakar við þik. En vita skaltu, at mér þykkir þar heimskum manni at duga, sem þú ert.”
CSI V.   6. Sam Bjarnason reluctantly undertakes the case for Thorbjorn:
267. Sam responded, "I go into conflict with Hrafnkel unwillingly. I do this mainly for the sake of my relationship with you. But you ought to know that I think I'm helping a fool."
46. I want you to know that in my opinion I’m helping a fool in helping you.
TPMA 8. 380. NARR/fou/fool 8.Eigenschaften und Verhalten der Narren 8.6. Narren sind unverbesserllich 8.6.2. Narren lassen sich nicht belehren (hassen den, der sie belehrt)   Nord. 555 Stulto dogma dare fit vt aucam fonte rigare. -- At syæ darre raadh thet ær som at slaa kalt watn 555poo gaass Dem Narren Belehrung geben ist wie eine Gans mit Wasser begiessen. -- Dem Toren einen Rat geben, das is gleich wie kaltes Wasser auf eine Gans giessen Låle 1021. Illt er heimskum lid at veita Es ist schwierig, Narren Hilfe zu gewähren Kålund 74 ( = JÓNSSON, ARKIV 172. JÓNSSON 69).
Ed. note.   A proverbial reference, see TPMA above.   See also Kålund, p. 154: 74. illt er heimskum lid at veita (D, 7). Det er vanskeligt at hjælpe tåben. Hos G. Jónsson forekommer ordsproget, dog med leggja for veita.   See GJ 183. Illt er heimskum lið að leggja (holl ráð kenna). as well as 181. Illt er að setja heimskum hátt.   Add note from FJ 1920.   See Harðar saga 12.33.

ÍF XI. 4. 112. Þorkell segir: "Því mun ek heita at vera heldr með ykkr en móti, með því at mér þykkir œrin nauðsyn til at mæla eptir náskyldan mann.”
CSI V. 8. Thorkel defines his reasons for supporting Sam:
269. Thorkel said, "I promise to be with you rather than against you because I think it's necessary to bring a suit after the slaying of a close relative."

ÍF XI.   4. 113. Þá snaraði Þorkell inn í búðina ok mælti til Þorgeirs, bróður síns: "Ver eigi svá bráðr né óðr, frændi, um þetta, því at þik mun ekki saka. En mörgum teksk verr en vill, ok verðr þat mörgum, at þá fá eigi alls gætt jafnvel, er honum er mikit í skapi.”
CSI V.   9. Thorkel to his brother Thorgeir:
270. Sam and Thorbjorn were speechless, but then Thorkel rushed into the booth and said to Thorgeir, his brother, "Don't be so fast and furious about this, kinsman. It won't do you any harm. For many people, things go worse than they intend, and many, when they have a lot on their minds, just don't manage to be careful enough."
51. People’s actions are often worse than their intentions, and they find it particularly difficult to pay full attention to everything when they have a lot on their minds.
TPMA 1.   411. BEGEHREN/désirer/to desire 4. Begehren und erlangen (gewähren) 4.5. Manche Wünsche bleiben unerfüllt 4.5.1. Oft erhählt man nicht, was man begehrt 4.5.1.1. Allg.   Nord. 115 Mörgum teksk verr en vill Manchem geht etwas schlechter aus, als er will HRAFNKELS SAGA FREYSGOÐA 4 S. 113 (= JÓNSSON, ARKIV 406. JÓNSSON 165).
Ed. note. HP2 116.

ÍF XI. 4. 113. Þá snaraði Þorkell inn í búðina ok mælti til Þorgeirs, bróður síns: "Ver eigi svá bráðr né óðr, frændi, um þetta, því at þik mun ekki saka. En mörgum teksk verr en vill, ok verðr þat mörgum, at þá fá eigi alls gætt jafnvel, er honum er mikit í skapi.”
CSI V. 9. Continued:
270. Sam and Thorbjorn were speechless, but then Thorkel rushed into the booth and said to Thorgeir, his brother, "Don't be so fast and furious about this, kinsman. It won't do you any harm. For many people, things go worse than they intend, and many, when they have a lot on their minds, just don't manage to be careful enough."
51. People’s actions are often worse than their intentions, and they find it particularly difficult to pay full attention to everything when they have a lot on their minds.
Ed. note. HP2 117.

ÍF XI. 4. 114. Þorkell segir: "Þat má vera, at svá fœri mér at, ef ek væra höfðingi, at mér þœtti illt at deila við Hrafnkel, en eigi sýnisk mér svá, fyrir því at mér þœtti við þann bezt at eiga, er allir hrekjask fyrir áðr. Ok þœtti mér mikit vaxa mín virðing eða þess höfðingja, er á Hrafnkel gæti nökkura vík róit,¹ en minnkask ekki, þó at mér fœri sem öðrum, fyrir því at má mer þat, sem yfir margan gengr. Hefir sá ok jafnan, er hættir.” ¹róa vík á e-n (tálsháttur úr sjómannamáli): snúa á e-n í róðri, vinna svig á e-m; vík er hér í hinni upprunalegu merkingu: svig, snúningur, smbr. víkja.
CSI V. 9. Thorkel, trying to persuade his brother Thorgeir to give aid to Sam and Thorbjorn:
271. Thorkel responded, "It may be that I'd act in the same way if I were a chieftain, and that I wouldn't like the idea of entering a dispute with Hrafnkel. But I don't think so, because I prefer competing with someone that has routed everyone else. And, to my mind, my honour, like that of any chieftain who can get the better of Hrafnkel in any way, will grow rather than diminish, even if things go the same way for me as they have for others, because I can take what has happened to many before me. Who dares wins."
52. . . .the man who’d beaten every previous opponent is the one I’d like most as my adversary.

ÍF XI.   4. 114. Þorkell segir: "Þat má vera, at svá fœri mér at, ef ek væra höfðingi, at mér þœtti illt at deila við Hrafnkel, en eigi sýnisk mér svá, fyrir því at mér þœtti við þann bezt at eiga, er allir hrekjask fyrir áðr. Ok þœtti mér mikit vaxa mín virðing eða þess höfðingja, er á Hrafnkel gæti nökkura vík róit,¹ en minnkask ekki, þó at mér fœri sem öðrum, fyrir því at má mer þat, sem yfir margan gengr. Hefir sá ok jafnan, er hættir.”     ¹róa vík á e-n (tálsháttur úr sjómannamáli): snúa á e-n í róðri, vinna svig á e-m; vík er hér í hinni upprunalegu merkingu: svig, snúningur, smbr. víkja.
CSI V.   9. Thorkel, continuing his speech:
271. Thorkel responded, "It may be that I'd act in the same way if I were a chieftain, and that I wouldn't like the idea of entering a dispute with Hrafnkel. But I don't think so, because I prefer competing with someone that has routed everyone else. And, to my mind, my honour, like that of any chieftain who can get the better of Hrafnkel in any way, will grow rather than diminish, even if things go the same way for me as they have for others, because I can take what has happened to many before me. Who dares wins."
52. ‘. . .and even if I failed like everyone else before me I shouldn’t feel humbled, I could accept what has happened to so many others – nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
TPMA 12.   321. WAGEN (Vb.)/oser/to dare 1. Wagemut als Wert 1.2. Wagemut und Tapferkeit haben Erfolg 1.2.5. Wer wagt, gewinnt (verliert nicht) Nord. 92 Ok er svâ sem mælt er, at sá hefir er hættir Und es ist so, wie es heisst, dass der hat, welcher wagt SVERRIS SAGA 76 (? FMS VIII, 186 [= GERING S. 8]). 93 Hefir sá, er hættir Der hat, welcher wagt BJARNAR SAGA 3 S. 118 (= GERING S. 8). 94 Hefir sá ok jafnan, er hættir Der hat auch immer, welcher wagt HRAFNKELS SAGA FREYSGOÐA 4 S. 115 (= JÓNSSON, ARKIV 194. JÓNSSON 81).
TPMA 9.   162. PRÜFEN/mettre à l’épreuve/to test. 1. Prüfen (Versuchen) als positive Handlung 1.2. Prüfen (Versuchen) bringt mehr Nutzen als Schaden: 1.2.2 Ohne Prüfen (Versuchen) kein Nutzen Nord. 33 Ketill kvað ekki duga ófreistat Ketill sagte, nichts nütze unerprobt KETILS SAGA HÆNGS 2 ( ?FAS II, 115). 34, 35 Ekki dugir ófreistat Nichts nützt unerprobt NJÁLS SAGA 5, 4 (= JÓNSSON, ARKIV 305. JÓNSSON 127). SIGURÐAR SAGA ÞÖGLA 23, 20 (? GERING S. 11). 36 Herrauðr sagði, at eigi dygði ófreistat Herraud sagte, Unerprobtes nütze nicht BÓSA SAGA 12, 11. 1.3. Prüfen (Versuchen) verschafft: 1.3.1.1. Ohne Prüfen (Versuchen) kein Wissen 163. Nord. 42 Fátt veit fyrr en reynt er Wenig weiss man, bevor man is versucht hat HARALDS SAGA HARÐRÁÐA 10 (? FMS VI, 155 [=JÓNSSON, ARKIV 461. JÓNSSON 183]). 43 Fundit mun þat er reynt er lengr Man wird herausfinden, was man länger geprüft hat MÁLSHÁTTAKVÆÐI 17, 4 (= GERING 105. JÓNSSON 137). 44 Hvat veit sá er einskis freistar Was weiss der, der nichts versucht? ERREKS SAGA 37 (? JÓNSSON, ARKIV 461[= JÓNSSON 183]). 45 Önundr kvað þat eigi vita mega fyrr en reynt væri Önund sagte, das könne man nicht wissen, bevor man es versucht habe GRETTIS SAGA 4, 5. 46 Fleira veit, sá er fleira reynir Mehr weiss der, der mehr versucht EBD. 14, 7 (=JÓNSSON, ARKIV 461. JÓNSSON 183). 47 Þá veit þat, er reynt er Dann weiss man es, wenn man es versucht hat EBD. 40, 5 (= JÓNSSON, ARKIV 333. JÓNSSON 137).
Ed. note. HP1 47-48, HP2 115.

ÍF XI.   5. 122. Þetta land keypti Hrafnkell í skuld, því at eigi var kostrinn meiri en þurfti til búshluta hafa. Á þetta lögðu menn mikla umrœðu, hversu hans ofsi hafði niðr fallit, ok minnisk nú margr á fornan orðskvið, at skömm er óhófs ævi.
CSI V.   11. Narrative commentary on Hrafnkel’s fall:
274. Hrafnkel bought this farm on credit, because he had no more than what he needed for provisions. People talked much about how his arrogance had been deflated, and many remembered the old proverb, "brief is the life of excess".
59. . . .many people called to mind the old saying that ‘Short is the life of the proud.’
FJ Proverb word 309. Page 176. óhóf, óf – skömm er óhófs ævi Hrafnk 22 (Austf. 123). ´Det umådeliges tid er kortvarig´. = GJ. Varianter af samme ordsprog er: fá eru óhóf alllangæ Sturl³ I 502, skammæ eru óf öll þessa heims Sturl² II 276 og skammæ þykkja ófin öll Mhk 15.
TPMA 8.   139. MASS (Mässigkeit)/mesure/measure 3. Masslosigkeit als Fehler und Nachteil 3.15. Masslosigkeit ist nicht von Dauer und lässt nichts von Dauer sein Nord. 298 Skammæ þykkia ófin öll Kurzlebig scheinen alle Masslosigkeiten (zu sein) MÁLSHÁTTAKVÆÐI 15, 5 (= JÓNSSON, ARKIV 309. JÓNSSON 127). 299 Skömm er óhófs ævi Kurz ist das Leben des Masslosen (wörtl.: der Masslosigkeit) HRAFNKELS SAGA FREYSGOÐA 5 S. 122 (= JÓNSON, ARKIV 309. JÓNSSON 127) (vgl. oben 3.13.).
Ed. note. HP1 18-28, HP2 118-119.

ÍF XI. 6. 123. Þjóstarssynir réðu honum þat, at hann skyldi vera blíðr ok góðr fjárins ok gagnsamr sínum mönnum, styrkðarmaðr hvers, sem hans þurfu við. "Þá eru þeir eigi menn, ef þeir fylgja þér eigi vel, hvers sem þú þarft við. En því ráðum vit þér þetta, at vit vildim, at þér tœkisk allt vel, því at þú virðisk okkr vaskr maðr. Gættu nú vel til, ok vertu varr um þik, af því at vant er við vándum at sjá.”¹     ¹vant af vandr: erfiður.
CSI V.   12. Advice of the Thjostarssons to Sam after he has taken over Adalbol:
275. The chieftains, the Thjostarssons, advised him to be kind and generous to his thingmen, and a useful supporter for anybody who needed him: "Then they won't be men if they don't follow you whenever you have need of any of them. We advise you to do this so that you will have success in everything, because you seem to us to be a brave man. Now take care, and keep your eyes open because you must always watch out for the wicked."
60. Be careful now and stay on your guard, one must always watch out for the wicked.
TPMA 10.   152. SCHLECHT/mauvais/bad 2. Die Schlechten, die Bösen 2.3. Umgang mit den Schlechten 2.3.1. Man soll schlechte Gesellschaft meiden 2.3.1.3. Man soll sich vor den Bösen hüten und ihren Umgang meiden   Nord. 286 Vant er við vandum at sjá Es ist schwer, sich vor den Bösen zu hüten HRAFNKELS SAGA FREYSGOÐA 6 S. 123 (= JÓNSSON 186. GERING 126). 287 En þar var þó ekki gott at erta illt skaplyndi Es war dort doch nicht gut, einen schlechten Charakter zu reizen MÍRMANS SAGA 158, 16.
Ed. note. HP2 121.

ÍF XI.   7. 124. Hrafnkell sat á Hrafnkelsstöðum ok rakaði fé saman. Hann fekk brátt miklar virðingar í heraðinn. Vildi svá hverr sitja ok standa sem hann vildi.
CSI V.   13. Hrafnkell gathers wealth and power at Hrafnkelsstead, narrative commentary:
276. Hrafnkel stayed in Hrafnkelsstadir, and raked in riches. He soon won great respect in the district. Everybody was glad to stand or sit, just as he wished.
61. He soon gained a position of power in the district, and everyone was eager to stand or sit, just as Hrafnkel wished.
Ed. note.   See Fljótsdœla saga, ÍF XI.   20. 282.

ÍF XI.   8. 126-7. Konan tók til orða, er hon kom inn: “Satt er flest þat, er fornkveðit er, at svá ergisk hverr sem eldisk.”⁵ Verðr sú lítil virðing, sem snimma leggsk á, ef maðr lætr síðan sjálfr af með ósóma ok hefir eigi traust til at reka þess réttar nökkurt sinni, ok eru slík mikil undr um þann mann, sem hraustr hefir verit.      ⁵ergjask: verða ragur.
CSI V.   14. A servant woman reports the passing by of the returning Eyvind, brother of Sam, egging Hrafnkel:
277. The woman started speaking as she came in: "It's true what they said in the old days that 'the older you get, the wetter you become'. The respect a man receives early in life isn't worth much if he later loses it through dishonour and hasn't got the self-confidence to go off and rescue his rights.
63. The woman started talking as soon as she came in. ‘The old saying is true enough. “The older a man, the feebler.” The honour a man’s given early in life isn’t worth much, if he has to give it all up in disgrace and hasn’t the courage to fight for his rights ever again.’
TPMA 1.   83. ALT/vieux/old   2. Eigenschaften des Alters (der Alten) 2.5. Weitere Eignschaften der Alten 2.5.8. Alte sind feige   Nord. 218 Satt er þat hit fornkveðna, at svâ ergist hverr, sem hann eldist Das Sprichwort ist wahr, dass man um so feiger wird, je älter man wird SNORRI, ÓLÁFS SAGA HELGA 139 (→ FMS IV, 346). 219 Satt er it fornkveðna, svá ergisk hverr sem eldisk Das Sprichwort is wahr: "Man wird um so feiger, je älter man wird" SNORRI, HEIMSKRINGLA 337, 1 (Óláfs saga helga 143) (= JÓNSSON, ARKIV 91. JÓNSSON 36). 220 Svá ergisk hverr sem eldisk Man wird um so feiger, je älter man wird HRAFNKELS SAGA FREYSGOÐA 8 S. 126 (= JÓNSSON, ARKIV 91). 221 Svâ ergist hverr sem eldist ÞORSTEINS ÞÁTTR BÆJARMAGNS 9 (→ FMS III, 192 [= JÓNSSON, ARKIV 91]). Mlat. 222 Albicet quanquam senio capillus, Permanet uirtus eadem uetustis; Nec fluens etas poterit uirile Carpere pectus Obschon im Greisenalter das Haar weiss wird, bleibt den Alten dieselbe Tapferkeit. Auch wird das dahinfliessende Alter eine männliche Brust nicht ergreifen können SAXO GRAMM. 204, 38.
Ed. note.  HP1 50, HP2 120.

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