To take up great resolutions, and then to lay them aside, only ends in dishonor.
I have long read the words of the Norse Sagas and Edda's around the fire in the long hall whilst sipping mead from a horn-cup and seem always to find relevant meaning so thought I'd share some with you; The quote and my interpretation. Naturally my interpretation or understanding may vary to your own, as it should be, so feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments section below if you like.
I don't actually have a Viking long hall, but I have a fire and mead so I'm mostly there. Either way, the reading is valuable.
This weeks Viking quote
To take up great resolutions, and then to lay them aside, only ends in dishonor. - Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar
This could read, to begin a task only to decide after commencing it is too difficult or challenging could mean one is left looking ineffective, lazy and lacking in drive, attitude or effort.
Taking on more than one can practicably handle or cope with is fraught with danger and offers the potential for capitulation, the quit-ethos - Something that soon becomes a habit in my understanding and experience.
Is it greed that causes people to take on more than they can effectively facilitate, the fear of missing out or a perfectionist nature? Conversely, is it lack of discipline and ownership, the right attitude and mindset that inspires a person to quit? A question each person must answer for themselves I think.
Being realistic in one's endeavours is as important as goal-setting and having plans in place to attain them; An end-date for them to occur by and check-measures along the way to ensure one is on track and moving forward towards attaining the goal. Biting off more than one can chew brings rise to burn-out, loss of interest and, if it is indeed unachievable, will only demotivate when the inevitable failure happens.
I do not believe in the phrase, you can do anything you set your mind to. It's a generalisation and in reality is simply not true. It's best to set attainable goals, make them somewhat difficult for sure, but always achievable.
I think possibly that could be the relevance of the ends in dishonour part of the quote; Maybe it's not dishonour in other people's eyes but in oneself through failure to attain a completely unattainable goal; Dishonour could be supplanted by demotivation.
Undertaking great resolutions, setting massive goals, has a place I think, but inside of an ultimate goal is smaller ones that must be attained to make the larger goal possible...Smaller mini-goals are more achievable and upon their success comes a feeling of achievement, satisfaction and the impetus to push forward to the next, and then ultimate, goal.
That's what I see in this quote today anyway. How about you?
A little perspective
Here's some background on the Norse Edda's and Sagas including what they actually are. They were not written originally, the words I read have since been recorded of course though, and thankfully so.
Edda
An Edda is a collection of poems based around Norse legends held within two Icelandic books of the 13th-century called the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda. Much of the understanding around Scandinavian mythology derives from them.
Saga
A saga is a story focused on Norse, Icelandic and Viking history, folklore and heroic achievement - Mostly recorded around the 12th and 13th century.
Spoken not written
It's interesting to note that Vikings were much more than violent raiders who revelled in battle and conquest, that they had a culture rich in story-telling and poetry; The Viking poet was one of the most respected among their society and in the mead-halls throughout the Viking world they could be found retelling stories of conquest, the gods, heroes, lovers and history in general. Sagas and Edda's were also passed from father to son and mother to daughter - The collective history of the Viking people passed by word of mouth, not written and recorded.
They had runes and glyphs however these were reserved for ceremonial purposes - They didn't write their history, they told it through the Edda's and Sagas.
Quotes are powerful, if understood and actioned
Without those two elements they are just words. Quotes are the wisdom in words of those who came before us and a wise person will seek that wisdom, determine how it may relate to them and embrace it.
Feel free to interpret the quote above, to apply it to yourself, and let me know what you think in the comments below; I'm interested to know what you see and feel.
Skol.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
Discord: galenkp#9209
Indeed quotes are powerful if understood well. Keep writing sir! Your writing inspires newbies like me ❤️😊
It's good to know that what I do may inspire people so thank you for saying so.
There are so many interesting stories in history that we can learn from. Vikings, greeks, persians, Mongols, Chinese etc.
Like, when they got bored and had nothing to do in their country, they would travel to a different part in the world to conquer it.
Also, most people had a variety of skillset. Like they would know how to farm, fight, make repairs in their house. Blacksmiths. etc.
I think most adult males in that world had a basic fighting skill set.
Almost everyone wanted to have their name in history by sacrificing themselves in great battles and wars.
They were right when they though that their name will be around 1000's of years later. And instead of poems and songs, people will be making million dollar netflix series about them.
It's interesting to think of a regular, every day person, thinking their memory might endure throughout the ages. Sure, some notable people's names might be remembered, but most of us will slip into anonymity and be forever forgotten no matter what we do.
Take one's ancestry for instance, something I have traced back on my mothers side to the mid 1400's. Prior to that I knew almost none of their names, certainly none past my grandparents. It makes me wonder if those people thought they'd be remembered? I know their names now, some of their history, but largely they are forgotten, as I will be in the future.
No one will make a Netflix series about me or probably anyone I know...But then again, they made a series about that family of NOBODY's called the Kardashians so there might be hope yet.
Thanks for commenting.
You said it well. Difficult to add to that.
I think it's also about Pretence, more simply put. One of Honor's/Honesty's opposites. Internal, too, quite right.
We all have a bit of that. We can only hope to learn how to counter it before it turns into a Great bit.
Hey mate, thanks for saying so. It's really cool to look at these quotes from so long ago and find some relevance to society in the modern era. It's also cool that each of us may interpret it differently.
Pretence, yes for sure! Pretentiousness in people is one of the personality traits that most repels me; But like you say, there's the potential for it in all of us. Thanks for adding that. Most appropriate.
yeah, in general, I think we have it all. All the traits. And it's about how we manage it. Like in the allegory of the two wolves in each one of us. The one we feed shall overcome the other.
This is so true. It's like when people present themselves as good...The thing is that in truth it's clear that we are both good and bad, sometimes at the same time. Is someone who protects the life of his baby son by killing an attacker good or bad?
I'm not so smart so don't know the answer although I think it's interesting to ponder. In that case we have a decision to make and how we manage it is a personal decision. I know what I would do.
Times can make great quotes change with time. I would think that at the time of that particular quote it was more about the failure of a leader who talked his clan into raiding or warring with another only to at the last moment back out and sell out his people, greed has run in the world since we first started trading things.
A caution to the leader, or to the people? or to both?
I imagine this quote to be in relation to, or inspired by, some warlike endeavour; Maybe the plan to conquer a rival village or town, maybe the actual battle itself...And then the failure of those involved to carry through with the hard work required to effect the desired result.
You make a good point. A warning to those in positions of power or the general populace who often follow those in power. Then again, maybe both as you say.
I'm really enjoying these quotes and the way people see them from perspective or the other. It's making me consider a quotes community actually.
I love the Norse and Viking history and stuff like this! They were a fascinating people for sure. Their true history is much more interesting than the barbaric version that was told to many people for a long time. They were much more intelligent and sophisticated than was thought so I’m glad we are learning about that and changing the perception.
I think that’s a great quote and certainly words to live by. I wish more people would take that to heart in the world, especially businesses. We are working on a project that requires an insane amount of work to be 100% complete by November and is quite an asinine goal. I don’t have a lot to do with getting the actual work done but I feel bad for the people I work with that do have to do it, I know it won’t get finished by then but it’s management that’s overly ambitious and just trying to set goals to make themselves look good.
I'm into history so find most old stuff fascinating including the Vikings. Like you say, far more complicated then the violent raiders they have been made out to be. They were ingenious, industrious and incredibly hard working...Didn't mind a drink or two either. Lol.
It's funny to me that the answers to many modern-day questions can be found in the past...There's a reason for it though I guess; If only people saw the lessons of the past and applied them to the present.