60 Viking quotes centered around themes of honor, courage, and wisdom,
reflecting the values and spirit attributed to the Norse culture:
- "Fear not death for the hour of your doom is set and none may escape it."
- "Bravery is half the victory."
- "The brave man well shall fight and win, though dull his blade may be."
- "Better to die with honor than live with shame."
- "The wise man thinks before he speaks, the foolish speaks before he thinks."
- "A coward thinks he will ever live if he keeps away from strife; but old age leaves him not long in peace though spears may spare his life."
- "Where wolf's ears are, wolf's teeth are near."
- "Often times it is not numbers that wins the victory, but those whom fate makes bold."
- "A man should know how many logs, thick and thin, to stock in autumn, that he may have enough wood for his winter fires."
- "It is better to stand and fight. If you run, you will only die tired."
- "One’s back is vulnerable, unless one has a brother."
- "He who lives without discipline dies without honor."
- "A good life—a long life—earns a man deep respect in death."
- "He must rise early who has designs on another man’s land or life."
- "Wisdom is welcome wherever it comes from."
- "Battles are won by slaughter and maneuver. The greater warrior is he who wins without bloodshed."
- "Cattle die, kinsmen die, you yourself will die. But the good name never dies of one who has done well."
- "Fire is best for the searing of meat; but the sight of the sun is best, if a man can keep his health."
- "Never swear false oaths; great and grim is the reward for the breaking of plighted troth."
- "When you see misdeeds, speak out against them, and give your enemies no peace."
- "He is truly wise who's traveled far and knows the ways of the world. He who has traveled can tell what spirit governs the men he meets."
- "Too much ale and a man’s heart is laid open for all to see."
- "It is easy to be brave from a safe distance."
- "The day must dawn before you take revenge that you might see who to strike."
- "The ignorant booby had no forebears; the unhappy whelp plays with everyone."
- "Silence is a friend who will never betray."
- "Praise the day at evening, a woman when she is cremated, a weapon when it is proven, ice when it is crossed, and ale when it is drunk."
- "Leave your grief on your mother’s grave."
- "A ship should not be tied with one rope, nor life dependent on a single hope."
- "Gold is little comfort for the kinsman dead."
- "Who can say what sorrow seemingly carefree folk bear to their life's end."
- "A bad rower blames the oar."
- "Consult the wise and do not chastise or judge them rashly."
- "The wolf should be fed, but not made your pet."
- "Even three words of quarreling you shouldn’t have with an inferior."
- "No one is a total fool if he can be silent."
- "The unwise man is awake all night, worries over and again. When morning rises he is restless still, his burden as before."
- "A small house holds a hundred friends."
- "With many who come to power and honor, pride keeps pace with promotion."
- "There is more honor in accumulating little by little than in reaching for much and failing."
- "Cold are the counsels of women."
- "Often what has been planned turns out well."
- "The foolish man thinks he will live forever if he avoids battle; but old age gives him no peace, though spears may spare him."
- "It often happens that a man’s mouth broke his nose."
- "If you know yourself, make sure not to puff yourself up like the proud rooster."
- "The lame can ride a horse, the handless drive cattle, the deaf can fight and prevail."
- "Better gear than good sense a traveler cannot carry."
- "Let no man be held as a laughing-stock, though he comes to the Thing with few followers."
- "Nothing good can happen to people unless they earn it."
- "It is better to give than to receive."
- "Respect the aged."
- "A greedy man, unless he knows his mind, eats to his own life’s harm."
- "Only he who attempts the absurd can achieve the impossible."
- "There are more things to be thought of by men than money alone."
- "A man is not completely born until he is dead."
- "Why should a man not be merry? Life is short and death is long."
- "Be not the first to break with old friends."
- "Do not despise the snake for having no horns, for who is to say it will not become a dragon?"
- "Often the test of courage becomes rather to live than to die."
- "Know when to speak – and when to listen."
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