maður er manns gaman

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 Icelandic 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Proverb 1.2.1 References

[edit] Icelandic

[edit] Etymology

From maður (“‘man’”) + er (“‘he is’”), the third person singular of vera (“‘to be’”) + manns (“‘of a man’”), the genitive of maður + gaman (“‘enjoyment, delight’”). Literally meaning "man is the enjoyment of man" or "man enjoys that of man". Compare the Latin homō hominī lupus (“‘man is a wolf to man’”).

This proverb originated from the 47th verse of Hávamál (“‘Sayings of the high one’”) in the Konungsbók (“‘King's book’”) of the Eddukvæði (“‘Poetic Edda’”):^[1]

Original text from Hávamál[1] 47. Ungur var eg forðum, fór eg einn saman, þá varð ef villur vega, auðigur þóttumst er eg annan fann, maður er manns gaman.

English translated by Benjamin Thorpe[2] 47. I was once young, I was journeying alone, and lost my way; rich I thought myself, when I met another. Man is the joy of man.

English translated by H. A. Bellows[3] 47. Young was I once, and wandered alone, And nought of the road I knew; Rich did I feel when a comrade I found, for man is man's delight.

English translated by Olive Bray[4] 47. Young was I once, I walked alone, and bewildered seemed in the way; then I found me another and rich I thought me, for man is the joy of man.

English translated by W. H. Auden and P. B. Taylor[5][6] 47. Young and alone on a long road, Once I lost my way: Rich I felt when I found another; Man rejoices in man.

[edit] Proverb

maður er manns gaman

1. man is the enjoyment of man, man is the joy of man; man enjoys the company of man, man is man's delight; man rejoices in man

[edit] References

• Notes:

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} (Icelandic) Hvað þýðir "maður er manns gaman"? (What does "man is man's delight" mean?)
2. ^ Poetic Edda - Thorpe Trans.
3. ^ HOVAMOL- The Ballad of the High One an English translation of Hávamál
4. ^ Hávamál - Wisdom for Wanderers and Counsel to Guests The Elder or Poetic Edda, edited and translated by Olive Bray (London: Printed for the Viking Club, 1908), pp. 61-111.
5. ^ Havamal - Guest's Chapter W.H.Auden & P.B.Taylor translation. Believed to be in the public domain. Source Rob Goodson.
6. ^ http://vta.gamall-steinn.org/havamal.htm Hávamál- The Sayings of Hár