Anonymous asked:

What are some of your favourite quotes in Old Norse and/or Icelandic?

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Great question! Here are my three particular favorites:

First, the quote that I try my best to live my life by:

Hávamál, stanza 26, line 1 
(from GKS 2365 4to 3v, line 20):

“Ósnotr maðr þykkist allt vita.”
An unwise man thinks he knows all.

I find this quote of advice to be very important, especially for those actively seeking knowledge on a daily basis. Yet, it is important for everyone to understand, because the world is far too complex for a single person to know everything.

Next up is one of the most powerful statements I have read so far in a saga, partly because I feel that the author’s own words are reaching out to the reader through Njáll Þorgeirsson in this moment:

Brennu-Njáls saga, Njáll Þorgeirsson, chapter 70
(from Möðruvallabók, AM 132 fol. 25v, lines 29-30b):

“…með lögum skal land vart byggja en ólögum eyða.”
…with law our land shall rise, but it will be destroyed with lawlessness.

Lastly, there is the very emotional quote from Guðrún Ósvifsdóttir, which I recently posted about:

Laxdæla saga, Guðrún Ósvifsðóttir, chapter 78
(from Möðruvallabók, AM 132 fol. 194v, lines 32-33b):

“Þeim var ek verst er ek unna mest.”
I was the worst to the one whom I loved the most.

Not only do I find it to be deeply emotional and realistic, but I find it to be a glimpse into the genius and richness of the literary tradition seen in Iceland during this time.

I have a few others, but those are my absolute favorites at the moment. This one also comes pretty close, though, but context does help with its impact:

Brennu-Njáls saga, Höskuldur Hvítanesgoði, chapter 111:
(from Möðruvallabók, AM 132 fol. 39v, line 2a):

“Guð hjálpi mér en fyrirgefi yðr.”
May God help me and forgive you.

Anyway, thanks for asking! I quite enjoyed thinking about what my favorite quotes were so far, and I do hope others enjoy some of them as well!