383
Kell’ onni on, se onnen kätkeköön.
He who has happiness should hide it.
Par Eino Leino
This quote is the famous first verse of Eino Leino’s poem Laulu onnesta (A Song of Happiness), penned over a century ago. The poem also advises us to head into the woods to rejoice over our blessings—quietly and alone. The fact that this verse is still widely known today offers a glimpse into the Finnish mindset: Finns value modesty and dislike bragging. This is why you probably won’t hear Finns boasting about their homeland being ranked as the World’s Happiest Country by The World Happiness Report for a third time in a row!
381
Kahdesta vaihtoehdosta koetan valita aina sen, joka pelottaa enemmän.
Out of two options, I always try to choose the one that scares me more.
Par Jouko Turkka
This was said by Turkka, the theatrical director, teacher, writer, polemicist, who had a long and impressive career in theatre and was famous for his intense teaching methods and highly physical approach to theatre. Though he spoke of feeling fear, Turkka gave an impression to many of being completely fearless. He never shied away from conflicts or expressing controversial opinions.
380
Epäröinnin kynnyksellä kysy kuinka paljon rohkeutta uskallat tänään jättää käyttämättä.
On the threshold of hesitation, ask yourself how much courage you’ll dare not use today.
Par Tommy Tabermann, poet, politician and journalist
Tabermann was best known for his love poetry, and he was sometimes referred to as rakkauden apostoli (“the apostle of love”). This quote is a well-loved verse from Tabermann’s poem Kysymys ilman numeroa (“A question without number”). Tabermann certainly practiced what he preached: he threw himself into many new challenges in his life, including politics.
52
Kaiken viisauden alku on tosiasiain tunnustaminen.
The beginning of all wisdom is acknowledgement of facts.
Par Juho Kusti Paasikivi, former president of Finland
384
On vanhuudessa yksi hyvä puolikin sentään. Näkee enemmän, kun on pakko kulkea hitaasti.
There is one good thing about old age at least. You see more because you’re forced to walk slowly.
Par Pentti Linkola
The philosopher, writer, polemicist, environmentalist, and fisherman, renowned for his extreme views and sharp criticism of modern life as a leading advocate of deep ecology, reveals a more mellow side in this quote about aging from a 2016 interview.
382
Älkää kiinnittäkö huomiota siihen, mitä kriitikot sanovat. Kriitikoille ei ole koskaan pystytetty yhtään patsasta.
Do not pay attention to what the critics say. Critics have never been honoured with a statue.
Par Jean Sibelius, composer
Sibelius, best known for his tone poem *Finlandia*, which celebrates triumph over adversity and victory over foes, took a different approach to handling his own critics—he simply chose to ignore them.
379
Muutamat hädän hetket opettavat ihmiselle viisautta enemmän, kuin vuosikymmenien tasaiset olot.
A few moments of distress teach a person more wisdom than decades of stable circumstances.
Par Maria Jotuni
This quote comes from the writer Maria Jotuni, who was well-acquainted with distress—her novel 'Huojuva talo' ('Tottering House') is said to be inspired by the struggles she experienced in her own life. Regardless of its origins, her insight is evident throughout her numerous novels, plays, and short stories.