Norwegian-American
Folk Wisdom
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THIS PAGE seeks to comment on a samples from the Norwegian-American comic strip Han Ola og han Per by Peter Julius Rosendahl (1878-1942). See how well each of the many aporistms and other statements that are added, seem to further understanding. Han Ola og han Per seems to need interpretation today. Therefore, Ola and Per Ching (Ching means 'book') has come alive.
16. When the Profit Went Up in Smoke
Two farmers show some uncultivated features; but they don't give up walking the long road toward having plenty through material means and technical assistance in bringing that about - and things go wrong from lack of proper knowledge. Lack of proper handling ruins the business, being unskilled is something one may have to pay for.The Midwest is deep into pig farming. [STATISTICS]
Ola and Per reflect farmers' hopes and ideas and enterprises. Conversing with someone that diverts attention may be dangerous.
Beastly enthusiasm is not the best enthusiasm there is.
There were many sorts of pressures among immigrants, not only the sort of pressure through which Per explodes a pig inadvertently.
Instead of contemplating and preparing a new implementation by small steps and with enough forethought as to safeguards, the farmer inventor ignores to keep his mind to what he is administering. As a result he kills a pig.
The book I Ching says, "A person . . . in an inferior position boasts enthusiastically (and unwisely). This arrogance inevitably invites misfortune." How true it is. Enthusiasm or eagerness spanned to very egocentric enterprises, fail many a time till some cool way has been won.
Force feeding seems somewhat inhuman.
Enthusiasm that enables needs to be coupled to a soberness which awakens from false enthusiasm could be very favourable. ¤
To put animals under undue pressure (ill enthusiasm) may rebound.
3
Per is often found hoping that blunt perseverance brings good fortune, and ignoring the dangers that are involved in his enterprises.It is fit to know the weaknesses of the scheme, and to know its strength as well. ¤
Ola and Per show how resistance can be overcome. (3)
4
A man explodes a pig. Changing the course is advised. For it is a bad thing for a man to let himself be deluded by too inhuman enthusiasm.Not highly sung, ancient virtues of heroes can bring deliverance, but clarifying things a whole lot, and then proceed without whim.
One is to adhere to the straight course. ¤
He who knows the seeds (initiating causes of things) of disasters, does not have to be arrogant.
A big shock can refresh many. (3)
Ola and Per are rooted in popular sentiment.
If Per goes on thus he's sure to bring disgrace on himself. ¤
Under the circumstances, there are no helpers that qualify.
Better accommodations and proficient ways need thought
The struggle for making a living must not be carried on in vain.
In keeping with the situation, few words are needed.
5
Foreseeing is the needed element, and one fine means of providing for the family.One must make proper use of the means.
Taking precautions is good.
These characters persist into bad accidents over and over.
Many ancestral means could be at a loss in a new and very different environment. ¤
Ola too has to make strides in his farmer position.
The great man contains the means in himself.
Carelessness in guarding things furthers complications. (3)
The inspiring effect of the accident can move all settler hearts,
One is to perceive the first trace of good fortune (or misfortune) and take proper action.
Tensions and complications need to be eased fast and well, for new things to work. ¤
When the hindrance is past, deliverance from it has come.
A good man cleans the air somehow. (5)
Settlers carry immigrant burdens on their backs
Victims of bad judgement may have to withdraw
6
The cartoon serves as a weapon against all that's false and low.The experienced practical person is not blinded by enthusiasm.
If there are any residual matters that ought to be attended to, it should be done as quickly as possible, so that a clean sweep is made and no retardations occur. ¤
The sudden change may have great importance. ¤
Think well or long enough before you act.
One recuperates in peace and keeps still.
In those days settlers took up the use of motorised devices and farm machines. (5)
Bravery is not enough.
30: A Quaint Way of Catching Rats aia aia
1
Birds and beasts alike are marked by excellent power of perception and discrimination, and so they do very little havoc to one another unless they fight for a territory (turf) and a mate with their horns and claws and paws and teeth.This failure should develop into the ability to stripping things (like Per's clothes) away, revealing the underneath: thus the shining light of the intellect may begin its work.
When it is one's fate to undertake new beginnings, a premature move might
bring serious set-backs, if not disaster.
It is important to preserve inner composure, also for the chastiser.
To think calmly and avoid excess is far better than what brings about a flood of tears.
The end of the path that is started, is not marked by an empty space, but more like blisters as bad as those from lying in the sun in the course of a day.
Clarity penetrates the nature of man and decrees, "Enjoy life while it lasts, or else -"
2
Serious concentration is important, and so is the ability to think well about procedures and consequences.An opportunity to make a good connection should be seized.
3
Caught in buttock-whacking, men may not find it easy to sing of their freedom.The able man attract those with whose help he can combat many of his difficulties.
4
Much in life depends on how the clarity functions.Fire has no definite form but a whacked person knows something about it anyhow.
When man recognises his secret handicap and makes himself dependent on the harmonious cultivation of himself and awaits his allotted time, much good can happen.
Unmasking goes before improvements. Per has to get out of his pants to improve his situation here.
It is important to seek out the right assistants. He might find them if he avoids arrogance and associate with his fellows in a spirit of humility.
5
Very premature effort, without the necessary guidance, ends in failure and disgrace.Clarity of mind is rooted in life but can consume it.
To accept help in a difficult situation is not a disgrace.
If one is seriously intent, there is no great blame, but one can loudly bewail misfortune all the same.
The great man continues the work after his mishap.
Beset by hindrances some lose their way.
6
In a pucker where it is our duty to act, false reserve should deter no one.Evil must be cured at its roots.
To eradicate rats in the pants or evil in political life - it is best to root out bad habits.
When the right helper is found, all may go well.
We may happily take captive a rat and chop off the head of it, but not overdo it.
If the difficulties are too great for some, they get stuck and never find their way out; they fold their hands and give up the struggle. Such resignation is the saddest of all things.
A first meeting may be beset with difficulties.
We may participate with guidance.
7
If one perseveres in all right ways, there's a prospect of great success, in spite of the existing danger.34 - Per Gets an Unexpected Ride into the Air
34. Per Gets and Unexpected Ride into the Air. -Adverse times can be speeded up by explosives.
Greatness and justice must be indissolubly united
Obstinacy leads to difficulties — Too silly conduct won't help you.
The handy man will not make the mistake of sitting down where an explosion is about.
One gets wiser by incidents like this.
Kongzi (Confucius) says: "Bloody tears flow: one should not persist in this." ¤
Hold back instead of letting a premature move bring disaster.
Difficulty at the beginning brings perhaps order.
Through danger, conformity in handling explosives is established after some time.
Mourning your earlier decisions can at times be beneficial and trouble free.
Acting unthinkingly and without guidance seems eccentric.
Being careful may help order and a better living in time. ¤
Where the slightest eccentricity seems to be 'the' way to do things, it could pay to be
careful.
Explosives can be harnessed for good and bad, possibly.
Someone in testing times of difficulties and hindrances may die or be guided.
The handy man does not continue in what brings misfortune.
Too easily humans become preys of exuberant self-confidence. But a ram who butts against
a hedge, cannot go neither backward nor forward.
One has to arrange and organise a sprenging, or . . . ¤
If a man goes on, working at the removal of resistances, success comes in the end.
It is important not to take chances in dealing with explosives.
Robust folks persevere and get aware of plots, in part through faithful and conscientious work
Even excess leads to damage.
Times of explosives can be beset with difficulties — True greatness depends on being
in harmony with what is right, not in blowing others away.
To accept help in a difficult situation is not a disgrace. (7)
Things can quiet down again at times when inner worth mounts with great force.
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