Janteloven

The Jante Law, one of Aksel Sandemose's more famous concepts, is developed in his novel En flyktning krysser sitt spor ("A refugee crosses his tracks") (1933), where he portrays his native town Nykøbing Mors as it was in the beginning of the 20th century.


Here they are, in danish, English and Norwegian.

1. Du skal ikke tro, du er noget.
   You shall not believe that you are somebody.
   Du skal ikke tro at du er noe.
   
2. Du skal ikke tro, at du er lige så meget som os.
   You shall not believe that you are as worthy as us.
   Du skal ikke tro at du er like mye verd som oss.
   
3. Du skal ikke tro, at du er klogere end os.
   You shall not believe that you are any wiser than us.
   Du skal ikke tro at du er klokere enn oss.
4. Du skal ikke bilde dig ind, at du er bedre end os.
   You shall not imagine that you are any better than us.
   Du skal ikke innbille deg at du er bedre enn oss.
5. Du skal ikke tro, at du ved mere end os.
   You shall not believe that you know anything more than us.
   Du skal ikke tro at du vet mer enn oss.
6. Du skal ikke tro, at du er mere end os.
   You shall not believe that you are more than us.
   Du skal ikke tro at du er mer enn oss.
7. Du skal ikke tro, at du duer til noget.
   You shall not believe that you are good at anything.
   Du skal ikke tro at du duger til noe.
8. Du skal ikke le ad os.
   You shall not laugh at us.
   Du skal ikke le av oss.
9. Du skal ikke tro, at nogen bryder sig om dig!
   You shall not believe that anyone cares about you!
   Du skal ikke tro at noen bryr seg om deg!
   
10. Du skal ikke tro, at du kan lære os noget!
    You shall not believe that you can teach us anything!
    Du skal ikke tro at du kan lære oss noe!

Aksel SANDEMOSE 1899—1965 (famous Danish writer)

This is the danish philosophy of life. When I read this I think danish people are arrogant and impolite. They believe they are the center of the universe and the rest of the world means nothing. Maybe I am wrong but this is what I feel.