Slow Havamal: 132

[kylec]

In verse 132, Odin counsels Loddfafnir never to mock or laugh at a guest or a wanderer.

We may laugh at enemies and distant men who stumble, but though an absurd creature might tempt us, we must not laugh at those who are under our care. Odin doesn’t criticize laughter, or even in this case the mocking variety. But he does warn against directing it at certain classes of individuals.

Guests take refuge under our roof, eat our food, and share our stories. They live by our grace, if even for a few days. This position of power comes with certain responsibilities. There is much talk of the roles of host and guest in Havamal, and I assume the broader hospitality tradition was very well established. It would be low of someone to offer care to another then to deride them when their only choice of response is to lash out at a host, head out onto the road at a late hour, or bear the humiliation. A guest may exaggerate their tales or behave in an odd manner, but we should be patient with them, and save our laughter for when we can share it equally.

A wanderer is also a vulnerable individual, especially if he never becomes a guest. Those we see on the streets have had difficulties we can hardly imagine. To make fun of them for their behavior, their outfit, or their decisions is to kick a man when he’s down, no matter how true it is. Often we excuse our cruelty under that label: truth. There’s mercy in ignoring a truth, allowing some other possibility to remain, when the truth can only shatter some protective illusion and bring harm. Not every stupid thing needs to be pointed out.

Judging others harshly can make us feel good by knocking them lower than us on the totem pole. The greater our own insecurities, the more essential it is to drive others downward to feel OK about our own worth. Men and women of skill who respect themselves feel little desire to hurt others. Rather, we should take care to be kind to those at our disadvantage. Someday we’ll find ourselves guests or wanderers, whereupon our own absurdities will hang in the balance to be mocked or to pass without comment.

Comments

[dreysz]

I couldn't have come across this post at a more appropriate time. A dear friend of mine, a devout follower of the Nordic faith, recently passed, and he often quoted the Havamal. I read this with a heavy heart, because it felt like his last lesson for me. Thank you.

[kylec]

Sorry to hear of your loss. Havamal has a lot of wisdom for us, and I'm glad your friend got to live it.