The Vikings were mysterious and strong seafarers, and their popularity has grown throughout time. Many of their sayings and ideas are still relevant today. Below you’ll find a selection of Viking quotes, sayings and ideas from the Norse mythology, movies and authors.
Better to fight and fall than to live without hope” – Volsunga Saga, Chapter 12
It is better to stand and fight. If you run, you’ll only die tired
If you find your axe is too short, add to it’s length.. by continuining to take steps forward
Eyes can not hide a woman’s love for a man – The Saga of Gunnlaugur the Worm-tongue, chapter 13
Our most important baggage on our journeys is wisdom – Hávamál
One should not ask more than would be thought fitting – Hávamál
Never break the peace which good and true men make between you and others – Hávamál
No one is a total fool if he can be silent – The Saga of Grettir the Strong, chapter 88
Never laugh at the old when they offer counsel, often their words are wise – Havaml: 134
A tale is but half told when only one person tells it – The Saga of Grettir the Strong, chapter 46
Courage is better than keenest steel – Sigurth, Fáfnimál
Where fault can be found, the good is ignored – The Saga of Burnt Njal, chapter 139
Bravely and gladly a man shall go, till the day of his death is come – Hávamál: 15
Do well by your kinsmen and take little revenge for their wrongdoings. Endure patience and you will win long-lasting praise – Brynhild
Over the foaming salt sea spray, The Norse sea-horses took their way, Racing across the ocean-plain – Heimskringla
There are few more certain tokens of ill than not to know how to accept the good – The Saga of Grettir the Strong, chapter 78
Though glad at home, and merry with guests, a man shall be way and wise – Hávamál: 103
He is bad-tempered, and may be that I shall let another’s wound be my warning – The Saga of Burnt Njal, chapter 37
Love is mingled when a man can say to a bosom friend what burdens him – Hávamál: 124
There are more things to be thought of by men than money alone – The Saga of Grettir the Strong, chapter 47
Shun not the mead, but drink in measure – Hávamál: 19
All dead men’s ghosts do grow more dread as daylight darkens to dimness of night – Helgakviða Hundingsbana II
For heroes, ’tis seemly the truth to speak – Helgakviða Hundingsbana II
Braver are many in word than in deed – Grettir, The Saga of Grettir the Strong
Push away pride! Your strength, your power, are yours for how many years? Death comes faster than you think, no one can flee it – Beowulf
I demolish my bridges behind me – then there is no choice but forward – Fridtjof Nansen
Never stop because you are afraid – you are never so likely to be wrong – Fridtjof Nansen
We will never flee from our enemies but rather endure their weapons – Hjalmar, Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks: 4
Now the youth was to enter the line of battle with his lord, his first time to be tested as a fighter. His spirit did not break – Beowulf
Do not dispute with those who are drunk on wine and have lost their wits – Saga of the Volsungs
There are few more certain tokens of ill than not to know how to accept the good – Grettir Saga, c.78
Old friends are the last to break away – The Saga of Grettir
What brothers own jointly is best seen together – Gisli Sursson’s Saga, c.10
Few are bold in old age that are cowardly in childhood – Volsunga Saga, c.18
Stand by your own trial and not by what others say – Gudmundur Jonsson
Often times it is not numbers that wins the victory, but those who fare forward with the most vigor
– The Saga of Thrond of Gate, c.19
When men meet foes in fight, better is stout heart than sharp sword – Volsunga, c.19
To take up great resolutions, and then to lay them aside, only ends in dishonor – King Olaf Trygvisson’s Saga, c.9
Ill is the result of letting fear rule thine actions – The Saga of Harald Hardrade, c.46
Too much ale and a man’s heart is laid open for all to see – The Saga of Olaf Haraldsson, c.151
There’s no excusing the man who rejects the truth once it’s proven – Fóstbrœðra saga, c.23
When ill seed has been sown, so an ill crop will spring from it – Njal’s Saga
Likely is ill the result when words of slander fly – Heitharvega, c.35
Varied will be his fortunes who fares far – The Saga of Fridthjof the Bold
Sorrow is lightened by being brought out openly – The Saga of Sigurd the Crusader and His Brothers Eystein and Olaf
Forethought is better than afterthought – Vatnsdæla Saga
Sources: Vikingrune.com
