The author "Unknown" often signifies works whose creators are lost to history or intentionally anonymous. This label is frequently used for ancient texts, folklore, or collaborative creations where individual authorship is unclear. Despite the anonymity, these works have enduring cultural and historical significance, offering insights into the collective wisdom and storytelling traditions of their times. The mystery surrounding "Unknown" authors often adds to the intrigue and timeless appeal of their works.
Cattle die, kinsmen die, and so must one die oneself. But I know one thing that never dies: the fame of a dead man's deeds.
He is happy who wins for himself favor and praises from men. For the days of his life are lengthened by the love of his friends.
Only he knows, who wanders wide, and has much experienced, how cruel care to the weary mind often becomes.
The foolish man is awake all night, mulling over everything; he is tired when morning comes, and all is lament as before.
Where wolf's ears are, wolf's teeth are near.
A man should be loyal through life to friends, and return gift for gift; laughter for laughter let him exchange, but leasing pay for a lie.
The unwise man is awake all night, and ponders everything over; when morning comes he is weary in mind, and all is a burden as ever.
A coward thinks he will live forever if he avoids fighting; but old age won't grant him a truce even if spears do.
A man should be loyal through life to friends, and return gift for gift; cheerful and smiling let him receive laughter for laughter.
The fickle-minded man is ever distrustful and always unsure; misfortune gnaws at his mind, and he trusts not the truth.
The halt can manage a horse, the handless a flock, the deaf be a doughty fighter, to be blind is better than to burn on a pyre: there is nothing the dead can do.
The high one gave a horn to her from which to drink a liquor of mead; then remembered Odin from where he once came, then in the hall the wretched witch sang.