Snorri Sturluson quote
April 9, 2005 8:40 AM Subscribe
When I was around 15 I read a book on Norse mythology. It concluded with a quote attributed to Snorri Sturluson that was along the lines of: This is the end. If there is more to know I don't know it. Go and have a merry life.
The book was probably written in the 70's, and I got it from the NYPL, which is now TPL. I'm really seeking a fairly good english translation of the actual quote. I'd like to know the name of the book I read too, but that is secondary.
The book was probably written in the 70's, and I got it from the NYPL, which is now TPL. I'm really seeking a fairly good english translation of the actual quote. I'd like to know the name of the book I read too, but that is secondary.
I'm not sure if this is the quote you're looking for but it sounds similar. It came from here.
posted by euphorb at 10:58 AM on April 9, 2005
Response by poster: Thanks for the effort. Nice try, but that isn't it. My paraphrase is just terrible, but it was a long long time ago...
The idea of the second sentence in the original post was probably more like this: If there is more to learn from the world you can not learn it from me because this is all I know.
posted by Chuckles at 11:05 AM on April 9, 2005
The idea of the second sentence in the original post was probably more like this: If there is more to learn from the world you can not learn it from me because this is all I know.
posted by Chuckles at 11:05 AM on April 9, 2005
Best answer: I think the quote you're looking for is from the Gylfaginning, aka The Deluding of Gylfi. The translation I have reads "And now, if you have anything more to ask, I can't think how you can manage it, for I've never heard anyone tell more of the story of the world. Make what use of it you can."
This book is that translation.
posted by cali at 11:26 AM on April 9, 2005
This book is that translation.
posted by cali at 11:26 AM on April 9, 2005
Google's cache of an Angelfire page, with that above quote...
posted by icontemplate at 11:44 AM on April 9, 2005
posted by icontemplate at 11:44 AM on April 9, 2005
"above" meaning's cali's answer - sorry.
posted by icontemplate at 11:46 AM on April 9, 2005
posted by icontemplate at 11:46 AM on April 9, 2005
Best answer: The original:
En nú, ef þú kannt lengra fram að spyrja, þá veit eg eigi hvaðan þér kemur það, fyrir því að engan mann heyrði eg lengra segja fram aldarfarið. Og njóttu nú sem þú namst.
And another translation:
"But now, if thou art able to ask yet further, then indeed I know not whence answer shall come to thee, for I never heard any man tell forth at greater length the course of the world; and now avail thyself of that which thou hast heard."
posted by languagehat at 12:02 PM on April 9, 2005
En nú, ef þú kannt lengra fram að spyrja, þá veit eg eigi hvaðan þér kemur það, fyrir því að engan mann heyrði eg lengra segja fram aldarfarið. Og njóttu nú sem þú namst.
And another translation:
"But now, if thou art able to ask yet further, then indeed I know not whence answer shall come to thee, for I never heard any man tell forth at greater length the course of the world; and now avail thyself of that which thou hast heard."
posted by languagehat at 12:02 PM on April 9, 2005
Response by poster: Thanks cali, I'm sure you have found the quote I'm thinking of. It is not the same translation though, I don't think. languagehat's is definitely not the translation I am thinking of.
What use I can make of this information I know not. But thanks again to everyone!
posted by Chuckles at 3:00 PM on April 9, 2005
What use I can make of this information I know not. But thanks again to everyone!
posted by Chuckles at 3:00 PM on April 9, 2005
The question reminds me of one of the shortest poems I ever wrote - about 30 years ago:
Remember Snorri Sturluson
He will not remember you
posted by yclipse at 5:17 AM on April 10, 2005 [1 favorite]
Remember Snorri Sturluson
He will not remember you
posted by yclipse at 5:17 AM on April 10, 2005 [1 favorite]
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