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Book: The Norse Myths
Quotes of Book: The Norse Myths
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  1. Kevin Crossley-Holland _ The Norse Myths

    Yet, in H.R Ellis Davidson's wise words: Reading the myths, we can identify the Norseman's spirit and confidence, his boundless curiosity, extreme bravery, clannish loyalty, generosity and discipline; we can also detect his arrogance and lack of compassion, his cunning if not treachery {amply reflected in the figure of Loki}, his ruthlessness and his cruelty.
    book-quotevikingsviking-spirit

  2. Kevin Crossley-Holland _ The Norse Myths

    Since men who become embittered never win respect or admiration, those who sought fame did not rail at the undoubted hardship of their lives and the inevitability of death. Rather, they endured it or, even better, laughed at it. This accounts for the ironic tone in the fabric of the myths and explains, for example, the reaction of the gods when Tyr sacrificed his hand {Myth 7} in the interests of binding the wolf Fenrir. Men and women expected their share of trouble and the best of them attempted to use it, to rise above it and carve out a name for themselves through bravery and loyalty and generosity.
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  3. Kevin Crossley-Holland _ The Norse Myths

    This superstitious, family-oriented existence is the background to 'The Lay of Loddfafnir' and the whole of {Myth and Note25}. This great compendium of aphorisms and advice on right conduct offers a commonsensical and sober {though sometimes witty} picture of the day to day life of the Norsemen, and it is a far cry from the heady image of Vikings on the rampage. Value life itself; censure naivete; cherish and celebrate friendships; beware treachery; practice moderation; be hospitable {but not too hospitable}; try to win the fame and good name that will outlive you: these are the leitmotifs of the ."
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  4. Kevin Crossley-Holland _ The Norse Myths

    No Viking believed he could change his destiny, ordained as it was by the Norns who wove the fates of gods and men alike {Note 4} but, for all that, the way in which he lived his life was up to him. This sentiment is perfectly expressed by Skirnir in 'Skirnir's Journey': 'Fearlessness is better than a faint heart for any man who puts his nose out of doors. The length of my life and the day of my death were fated long ago.
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  5. Kevin Crossley-Holland _ The Norse Myths

    The rivers that sprang from Hvergelmir streamed into the void. The yeasty venom in them thickened and congealed like slag, and the rivers turned into ice.
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  6. Kevin Crossley-Holland _ The Norse Myths

    The three sons of Bor had no liking for Ymir... At last they attacked Ymir and killed him. His wounds were like springs; so much blood streamed from them and so fast, that the flood drowned all the frost giants except Bergelmir and his wife. They embarked in their boat and rode out on a tide of gore
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  7. Kevin Crossley-Holland _ The Norse Myths

    In the beginning was the word, and primitive societies venerated poets second only to their leaders. A poet had the power to name and so to control; he was, literally, the living memory of a group or tribe who would perpetuate their history in song; his inspiration was god given and he was in effect a medium.
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  8. Kevin Crossley-Holland _ The Norse Myths

    Lif and Lifthrasir will have children. Their children will have children. There will be life and new life, life everywhere on earth. That was the end; and this is the beginning.
    book-quoteragnarok

  9. Kevin Crossley-Holland _ The Norse Myths

    A culture finds the gods it needs.
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