A tale is but half told when only one person tells it - Viking proverb

A Viking proverb quoted in The Saga of Grettir the Strong. "A tale is but half told when only one person tells it. For most folk are readiest to bring their stories to the worser side when there are two ways of telling them."

Alternate translation:

"Then Skapti the Lawman said: "It certainly was an evil deed if all really happened as has been told. But one man's tale is but half a tale. Most people try and manage not to improve a story if there is more than one version of it. I hold that no judgment should be passed for Grettir's banishment without further proceedings."