The nose is near to the eyes

Old Icelandic proverb, uttered two times in Njal's saga and meaning that duties often come together with family ties.

Thorgerd spoke to Ketil:"Oskuld is dead, as we know. Now keep in mind what you promised when you took him as yours foster-son".

"It may well be", he said, "that I made many promises then, because I never expected days like these would come. In fact, I'm in a difficult position, since I'm married to Njal's daughter - the nose is near to the eyes".
~Njal's saga, translated by Robert Cook