Grettir the Strong

Grettir the Strong (said to have lived c. 996-1031)

"Nothing given, nothing owed."

• A saying attributed to Grettir, in the anonymously written Grettir's Saga (c. 14th century), chapter 17, translated by Jesse Byock (Oxford World's Classics, 2009).

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Grettir

Grettir the Strong (said to have lived c. 996-1031)

"Arriving at the well is one thing; drinking is another."

• A saying attributed to Grettir, in the anonymously written Grettir's Saga (c. 14th century), chapter 57, translated by Jesse Byock (Oxford World's Classics, 2009).

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Thurid (Grettir's Saga)

Grettir's Saga  (anonymously-written Icelandic text, c. 14th century)

"Few things lead more certainly to misfortune than not being able to accept what is good."

• Spoken by the witch, Thurid, in the anonymously written Grettir's Saga (c. 14th century), translated by Jesse Byock (Oxford World's Classics, 2009).

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Grettir's Saga

Grettir's Saga (anonymous 14th century text)

"No man can trust
in his own unaided
strength, that's clear
to me - because
the courage of heroes
ebbs away
on the death day
as their luck runs out."

• A Life/Death Poem about the character, Hallmund, recorded in the anonymously written Grettir's Saga (c. 14th century), translated by Jesse Byock (Oxford World's Classics, 2009). 

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Bersi Skald-Torfuson (Grettir's Saga)

Bersi Skald-Torfuson (in the anonymous Grettir's Saga, written c. 14th century)

"Certainly you can see, my lord, that it is better to spare one man and in return have the thanks of many."

• Spoken by Bersi Skald-Torfuson to the Norwegian Jarl Svein (co-ruler of Norway, r. 1000-1015) in a scene from the anonymously written Grettir's Saga (c. 14th century), translated by Jesse Byock (Oxford World's Classics, 2009).

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Skapti Thoroddson (Grettir's Saga)

Quote attributed to the Althing Lawspeaker, Skapti Thoroddson (in Grettir's Saga)

"Many a man's death has come through overconfidence."

• Spoken by Lawspeaker Skapti Thoroddson in the anonymously written Grettir's Saga (c. 14th century), translated by Jesse Byock (Oxford World's Classics, 2009).

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Gudmund the Powerful (Grettir's Saga)

Gudmund the Powerful (c. 11th century, quoted in the 14th cenuty Grettir's Saga)

"Trust no one so well that you do not rely best on yourself."

• Spoken by the character, Gudmund the Powerful, in the anonymously written Grettir's Saga (c. 14th century), translated by Jesse Byock (Oxford World's Classics, 2009). 

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Onund Tree-Foot (Grettir's Saga)

Onund Tree-Foot
(semi-mythical Norwegian Viking and Icelandic settler said to have lived in the 9th century)

"The day we faced the music
of sword blades clanging on shields
destroyed my life's joy:
hardships grip us too soon."

• Spoken by the character, Onund Tree-Foot, in the anonymously written Grettir's Saga (c. 14th century), translated by Jesse Byock (Oxford World's Classics, 2009).

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Grettir the Strong

"Only what is tested is known."

• Spoken by the character, Grettir, in the anonymously written Grettir's Saga (c. 14th century), chapter 34, translated by Jesse Byock (Oxford World's Classics, 2009).

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Grettir the Strong

Grettir the Strong (said to have lived in the 11th century)

"Danger is at your own door when it has entered your neighbor's."

• Spoken by the character, Grettir, in the anonymously written Grettir's Saga (c. 14th century), chapter 34, translated by Jesse Byock (Oxford World's Classics, 2009).

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Grettir's Saga

Grettir's Saga (14th century Icelandic text)


"The old saying is true, people seldom live up to their reputations."

• Spoken by the character, Ali, in the anonymously written Grettir's Saga (c. 14th century), translated by Jesse Byock (Oxford World's Classics, 2009).

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Grettir the Strong

Grettir the Strong (allegedly flourished in the 11th century)

"Many search in the distance while the truth is staring them in the eyes."

• Spoken by the character, Grettir, in the anonymously written Grettir's Saga (c. 14th century), translated by Jesse Byock (Oxford World's Classics, 2009).

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Onund Treefoot (Grettir's Saga)

Onund Tree-Foot (semi-mythical Norwegian Viking and Icelandic settler said to live in the 9th century)

"Many would-be warriors
mouth off but fail to think.
Your type sadly lacks practice
in fighting it out to the end."

• Spoken by the character, Onund Tree-Foot, in the anonymously written Grettir's Saga (c. 14th century), translated by Jesse Byock (Oxford World's Classics, 2009).

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