Viking proverbs about war and life

A warlike and combative civilization, but with great teachings and moral values.
When you think about the Viking civilization, maybe the last thing that comes to mind is poetry, storytelling and wood carving.

Rather, you associate them with films about ships and bloody expeditions, with images of helmets with horns, bersekers warriors, drakars, the mythological hall Valhalla, the one-eyed God Odin and men who died sword in hand and drank from skulls, raising glasses with their stout bodies.

What was the Viking civilization like?

And the reality is different: the Viking civilization was formed by a legion of pirates who assaulted enemy ships and looted, killed and spread their own law (and with it, the most absolute terror) along the European coasts. But their reputation, as the historians show us, is not entirely deserved: they weren,t only ruthless warriors who bathed the ocean of blood and viscera, but also they were very good merchants, administrators and artisans of metal and wood, resources with that produced valuable jewels and artifacts that have been preserved to this day.

They were, some of these Vikings, well known as storytellers in the north and the Nordic sagas continue to attract the public today, eager to know the stories and teachings of this civilization. And, needless to say, the Vikings were not wearing helmeted helmets: as one might suppose, no Viking in his senses would want to look like a cow or a bull.

Some Viking proverbs, phrases and sayings. Their philosophy of life in a few lines.

"Before entering a place, look where you can get out." A phrase that honors the conquering spirit of this civilization.

"If you eat cherries with the powerful you risk having the bones rain against your nose." A reflection on power and dangerous friendships.

"The man honors the friend with affection, responds to a gift with a gift. A laughter responds with laughter and cheat trick. " You do so, you receive. There's no more.

"There is no better baggage to carry than sanity and a clear mind. In distant lands it,s more useful than gold and brings the poor out of trouble. " Clear ideas can take you very far in life.

"Live with hope while you are alive, the agile always comes forward. I saw the flames of a mansion, but in the door lay a dead man. " The vital energy is one of the great virtues that we can learn from the Viking civilization.

"The population was frightened by the Vikings because of their ferocity and cruelty." This is rather a historiographical quote that shows us the fear that the Vikings aroused in the neighboring towns.

"If you can find a loyal friend and you want him to be useful, open your heart, send him gifts and travel often to see him."
Believe it or not, friendship and camaraderie were also values ​​praised by these inhabitants of the north.

"Who always speaks and never keeps silent says many nonsense. Light language causes problems and often disparages man. " Loose lips sink ships. If you want to be respected, don,t speak without a clear direction.

"A man without friends is like a bare birch, without leaves or bark, alone on a bare hill." Another reflection that gives an account of the importance they attributed to friendship and loyalty.

"A guest must leave on time and not abuse his welcome; even a friend becomes annoyed if he stays too long. " The good things, if brief, twice good.

"Don,t praise the day until the evening has come; don,t praise a woman until her pyre; don,t praise a sword until you have tasted it; don,t praise a maid until she is married; don,t praise the ice until you have crossed it; Don,t praise the beer until you have drunk it. " A phrase that is a vaccine against prejudice and preconceived thoughts.

"Who knows how many enemies you have around the table!" Prudence, first of all. Those who now smile, later may be your most fearsome enemies.

"Near the king, near the scaffold."

"The best thing in life is life itself." A phrase that reflects a clear vitalist philosophy.

"The best load a man can carry is too common sense; the worst, too much drink. " A phrase with a touch of humor and irony.

"Crumbs are also bread." A simple Viking proverb about, precisely, the simplicity with which according to this perspective we should use certain resources humbly.

"A coward thinks he will live forever if he avoids his enemies; but no man escapes old age, even if he survives the spears." A reflection on the inevitable nature of old age and the loss of certain faculties appreciated.

"Outside your home, do not move an inch away from your weapons." A phrase that reflects the warrior character.

"Neither poverty forces anyone to steal nor wealth prevents it." A moral reflection on the living conditions and the choices we make.

"A man of respect must be reserved, thoughtful and brave in battle." This proverb clearly expresses the ideal of a Viking man.

Illustration by Tom Lovell, National Geographic.