Icelandic proverbs

Proverbs reflective of conventional wisdom in Iceland.

B

• Ber er hver að baki nema sér bróður eigi.
  • Translation: Bare is the back of a brotherless man.
  • English equivalent: Every man is defenseless unless he has a brother.
  • Source: Hreinsson, Viðar, ed (1997). Brennu-Njáls saga. 3. Translated by Robert Cook. Leifur Eiriksson Publishing. p. 209. ISBN 9979929308. 

• Betra er einn aŏ vera, en illan stallbróǒur hafa.
  • Translation: It is better to be alone than to be in bad company.
  • English equivalent: Better be alone than in bad company.
  • Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 572. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Brennt barn forðast eldinn.
  • Translation: A burnt child keeps away from fire.
  • English equivalent: Once bitten, twice shy.
  • Meaning: You will avoid an activity which has given you a bad experience for the rest of your life.
  • Source: Dal, Gunnar (2007). Einn heimur: fimm heimsmyndir. Jonas Halldorsson. p. 124. ISBN 9979651032. 

E

• Efter þvi sem gamlir fuglar sungu, kvököu þeir ungu.
  • Translation: As the old birds sing, so do the young ones tweet.
  • Meaning: Children will become like older generations.
  • Norwegian equivalent: Some dei gamle sungo, so kveda dei unge.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 138. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Engum flygur sofanda staekt gess i munn.
  • Idiomatic translation: Birds fly not into our mouth ready roasted.
  • Meaning: One cannot (or should not) expect to benefit without making some effort.
  • Source for meaning: (Paczolay, 1997 p. 455)
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 171. ISBN 0415096243. 

G

• Goa oro finna godan samastao.
  • Idiomatic translation: Politeness costs little but yields much.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 70. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Guð hjálpar þeim sem hjálpa sér sjálfir.
  • Translation: God helps those who help themselves.
  • English equivalent: Heaven helps those who help themselves.
  • Meaning: When in trouble first of all every one himself should do his best to improve his condition.
  • Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 150. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • Source: Laxness, Halldór (2000). Smásögur. Vaka-Helgafell. p. 131. ISBN 9979214546. 

H

• Hvar sem fjandinn er par hafur hann sina.
  • Idiomatic translation: A wise man changes his mind, a fool never will.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 150. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Hver er sinnar gæfu smiður.
  • Translation: Every man is the smith of his own fortune.
  • English equivalent: Also, Every man is the smith of his own fortune.
  • Meaning: In shaping one's own fortune one should not rely on the help of others, as they are also concerned mainly about their own matters.
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 388. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

L

• Linur bartskeri gjörir fúin sár.
  • Idiomatic translation: Mild physician – putrid wounds.
  • Meaning: Telling harsh truths constructively (to yourself as well), and stern measures, makes for a good figurative and literal cure.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1091. ISBN 0415096243. 

K

• Kemst þó hægt fari.
  • Translation: You will reach your destination even though you travel slowly.
  • English equivalent: We rode slow, but we ride sure.
  • Source: Íslands, Landsbókasafn (1980). Árbók. Bókasafnið. p. 71. ISBN 9979911107. 

• Kornbarn, drukkin maðr og dárinn segja sannleikann.
  • Idiomatic translation: Children, fools and drunken men tell the truth.
  • Meaning: Children and fools have no inhibition, and alcohol consumed removes the inhibition against telling the truth that occasionally one would like to keep secret.
  • Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 272. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

O

• Ofta hafa fagrar hnetur fúinn kjarna.
  • Idiomatic translation: A fair face and a foul heart.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 34. ISBN 0415160502. 

P

• Pá mér klaeÆr, parf ég að klóra mér.
  • Translation: To whom it itches, scratches it.
  • English equivalent: If the shoe fits, wear it.
  • Meaning: Accept an unflattering, yet accurate, description of yourself.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 998. ISBN 0415096243. 

R

• Ragur madur fiflar aldri frida konu.
  • Translation: Fortune favours the bold.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 130. ISBN 0415160502. 

S

• Sá er fuglinn verstr, sem i sjáls sins hreiḋr dritr.
  • Idiomatic translation: It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest; Don't wash your dirty linen in public.
  • Meaning: Don't speak ill off yourself and the groups you belong to.
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 466. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Sjaldan er ein báran stök.
  • Transation: There seldom is a single wave.
  • English equivalent: When it rains, it pours.
  • Meaning: Good luck or bad luck is often followed by more of the same.
  • Source: Sigurðsson, Arngrímur (1975). Íslenzk-ensk orðabók. Leiftur. p. 731. ISBN 9979651032. 

• Sjaldan feller eplið lángt frá eikini.
  • Idiomatic translation: The apple does not fall far from the tree.
  • Meaning: Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents.
  • Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 259. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

Á

• Árinni kennir illur ræðari.
  • Translation: A bad rower blames the oar.
  • English equivalent: A bad workman blames his tools.
  • Source: Magnúsdóttir, Elín Bára (1993). Halldórsstefna, 12.-14. júní 1992. Stofnun Sigurðar Nordals. p. 116. ISBN 9979911107.