6. A man shall not boast | of his keenness of mind,
But keep it close in his breast;
To the silent and wise | does ill come seldom
When he goes as guest to a house;
(For a faster friend | one never finds
Than wisdom tried and true.)
7. The knowing guest | who goes to the feast,
In silent attention sits;
With his ears he hears, | with his eyes he watches,
Thus wary are wise men all.
8. Happy the one | who wins for himself
Favor and praises fair;
Less safe by far | is the wisdom found
That is hid in another's heart.
9. Happy the man | who has while he lives
Wisdom and praise as well,
For evil counsel | a man full oft
Has from another's heart.
10. A better burden | may no man bear
For wanderings wide than wisdom;
It is better than wealth | on unknown ways,
And in grief a refuge it gives.
[6. Lines 5 and 6 appear to have been added to the stanza.]
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6. At hyggjandi sinni skyli-t maðr hræsinn vera,
heldr gætinn at geði; þá er horskr ok þögull
kemr heimisgarða til, sjaldan verðr víti vörum,
því at óbrigðra vin fær maðr aldregi
en mannvit mikit.
7. Inn vari gestr, er til verðar kemr,
þunnu hljóði þegir, eyrum hlýðir,
en augum skoðar;
svá nýsisk fróðra hverr fyrir.
8. Hinn er sæll, er sér of getr
lof ok líknstafi;
ódælla er við þat,
er maðr eiga skal annars brjóstum í.
9. Sá er sæll, er sjalfr of á
lof ok vit, meðan lifir;
því at ill ráð
hefr maðr oft þegit annars brjóstum ór.
10. Byrði betri berr-at maðr brautu at
en sé mannvit mikit; auði betra
þykkir þat í ókunnum stað;
slíkt er válaðs vera.
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