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The
discussion and analysis presented after these
translated stanzas is our
opinion. Read the translations for yourself and our analysis, but also seek
out varied sources and come to your own conclusions.
STANZA 38 OF THE
HAVAMAL
Auden & Taylor:
A wayfarer should not walk unarmed, But
have his weapons to hand: He knows not when he may need a
spear, Or what menace meet on the road.
Bellows:
Away from his arms | in the open field A
man should fare not a foot; For never he knows | when the need
for a spear Shall arise on the distant road.
Bray:
Let a man never stir on his road a
step without his weapons of war; for unsure is the knowing
when need shall arise of a spear on the way without.
Chisholm:
A man should not step one foot forth in
the field without weapons. One cannot know, when on the
road, when he will need his spear.
Hollander:
From his weapons away no one should
ever stir one step on the field; for no one knows when need
might have on a sudden a man of his sword.
Terry:
Don't leave your weapons lying
about behind your back in a field; you never know when you may
need all of a sudden your spear.
Thorpe:
Leaving in the field his arms, let no man
go a foot’s length forward; for it is hard to know when on the
way a man may need his weapon.
DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF STANZA 38
The literal meaning of this stanza is fairly
straight-forward. It warns against being without your
weapons, because you never know when you might need them. The
world is a dangerous and unpredictable place. One
should come to understand this and accept this. One
should be prepared to defend one's self and those
we love.
In our modern world, the wisdom of this
stanza can inform us in different ways. In some states,
conceal/carry is the law of the land, and there are circumstances
that might require one to be armed and ready. There are also
ways you can be physically prepared for the physical dangers of
the world. Staying in shape. Learning to fight and
defend one's self physically. Also important, is being
aware of your surroundings, and as much as possible, not putting
yourself in situations where you are needlessly
in danger.
A less literal meaning for this
stanza can come from realizing that no matter how wise,
cautious, and aware you are, there are non-physical threats you
simply cannot foresee. We can be blindsided financially,
legally, emotionally, and in a hundred other
ways. Someone we thought to be our friend turns out to be
less than a friend. A job we count on for our livelihood can
evaporate without warning. We can get cross-wise with
bureaucracy or the government unexpectly. We can encounter
unexpected but necessary expenses that threaten our homes and
financial security.
While these threats cannot be fought with
weapons, they are no less dangerous to the well-being of our familes
and way of life. We should prepare and be ready for
any threat. We should react quickly and effectively when
these threats come upon us, and we should not be found
"unarmed" against them when
they do.
It can also be said that this stanza is about
self-reliance. Do you have the tools at hand to reach
your goals and accomplish what you need to accomplish,
especially at those times when you are away from the safety and
security of
your home.
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