Two crows flying

Best 40 Old Norse Proverbs and Sayings

Find the inspiration and the wisdom in these sayings from the old Norsemen
Two crows flying
Best 40 Old Norse Proverbs and Sayings | iSTOCK

40 Norse Proverbs and Sayings

Going back over a thousand years, the Vikings or Norsemen were considered wise men with reflective and poetic views. There are documents that prove this with Norse sayings, proverbs and quotes. 

In this post, we would like to take you closer to that period of time and let you feel inspired by the wisdom and the life philosophy of these men. 

1"A fair wind at our back is best."

2"A bad rower blames the oar."

3"Too clean has no taste."

4"Merely book makes none wise."

5"There is no bad weather, only bad clothing."

6"One should listen when an old dog barks."

7"Time runs like the river current."

8"One must howl with the wolves one is among."

9"If you cannot bite, never show your teeth."

10"You will reach your destination even though you travel slowly."

11"The later in the evening, the more beautiful the people."

12"You have to learn to crawl before you can walk."

13"Alone is strong."

14"Only dead fish follow the stream."

15"It is darkest before dawn."

16"What is hidden in snow, is revealed at thaw."

17"Bare is the back of a brotherless man."

18"A burnt child keeps away from fire."

19"Old love does not corrode."

20"Boatless man is tied to the land."

21"If you want to beat a dog you will easily find a stick."

22"No trees grow to the sky."

23"There seldom is a single wave."

24"Barking dogs seldom bite."

25"Only a fool lies awake all night and broods over his problems. When morning comes he is exhausted. And his troubles are the same as before."

26"A boy's will is the will of the wind."

27"A head stuck on a pike no longer conspires."

28"Deceit sleeps with greed."

29"Fear the reckoning of those you have wronged."

30"It is the still and silent sea that drowns a man."

31"The head only knows what lies nearest the heart."

32"The lame runs if he has to."

33"The man that walks his own rode, walks alone."

34"The madman often tells the truth."

35"The wolf and the dog do not play together."

36"To be without silver is better than to be without honor."

37"You don't have to put out the fire when all is ash."

38"Wounded to death by the words of an evil woman."

39"With his ears let him listen, and look with his eyes; thus each wise man spies out the way."

40"There is mingling in friendship when man can utter all his whole mind to another."