Wisdom from Northern Europe

Northern Europe has a long history of wisdom traditions. They even have a God of Wisdom, Odin. This knowledge is spread out over the Edda's, Saga's, and folk lore of the many different peoples of that area. If one wants to be a Heathen, Germanic Pagan, or Asatru you should spend time researching the reading the different sources of wisdom to be found in our lore.

The following is a small sample of what can be found.

· Often, he who has many words, says little of worth – Volsunga Saga

· Great deeds and ill deeds often fall within each other’s shadow - Gisli Sursson’s Saga, c.17

· Better a brief spell of honor than a long rule of shame - Laxdaela Saga, c.29

· He’s a wise man who knows himself - The Saga of Hrafnkel Freysgothi, c.7

· 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

· Let another’s wounds be your warning - Njal’s Saga, c.37

· Ill is the result of being more given to big talk than using one’s wits - The Saga of Bjarn of the Hitdoela Champions, c.19

· That which has a bad beginning, is likely to have a bad ending - Hen-Thorir’s Saga, c.4

· The fool is busy in everyone’s business but his own - Kormak’s Saga, c.14

· A tale is but half told when only one person tells it - The Saga of Grettir

· A hungry wolf is bound to wage a hard battle - Laxdaela Saga, c.19

· Wisdom is welcome wherever it comes from.

· Often it is that anger is blind to the truth - The Foster-brother’s Saga, c.22