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.
Often is there regret for saying too much, and seldom regret for saying too little. - Hrafnkels saga Freysgoða
In my opinion we live in a society that says too much and whilst the regret of doing so might be long in coming [not always], come it generally does. I watched someone do it this week and the words I told you so came to mind. Seeing someone else say way too much and the train wreck that followed prompted this particular morsel of Viking wisdom.
This quote has many angles:
Think about a business professional at a seminar talking a big game only to realise later they are not the smartest person in the room and come to regret their words or actions. Maybe a person discoursing on a topic they feel they know about without understanding that the people they speak with know it much better.
Certainly the angle of over-sharing on the internet right? - People don't seem to have a filter on what they say these days for whatever reason, I guess maybe they seek validation, a feeling of importance or relevance; a lack of self-esteem can prompt the need for such in some individuals I suppose. Sad but true.
I've been at gatherings where people have been so intent upon presenting themselves as the smartest in the room they haven't taken the time to determine who else is there and what they may know; there was a time I'd work to correct them but I don't bother anymore. I leave them to their own devices, and outcomes mostly. If it's someone I know and value I'll possibly offer some insight though.
Everyone's an expert these days right? Or so it seems. Play Call of Duty on PlayStation and all of a sudden one knows all about guns or is a Spec-Ops operator. Read a headline or see a meme on Facebook and instantaneously one is an expert on the topic; But nah not really most often right? Any yet people can't seem to simply shut the hell up. Again, that need to self-promote, to seek relevance is strong I suppose.
This quote isn't about suggesting people should remain silent I think, just knowing when to do so, and to watch how much one divulges when one speaks, or types, shares photos and so on. Regret makes for a poor companion.
Information is power and the way people spew their private lives, bodies and information over social media boggles the mind and I wonder if anyone ever comes to regret it; my guess it yes, definitely.
There's been times in the past I've said too much and regretted it. I've regretted divulging too much about myself to those who don't deserve it but learned the hard way. These days I don't tend to do it so much; I'm a rather shy individual in real life and so there's little chance of it happening I suppose. I talk, but think about when and how much I say mostly. With people I feel comfortable with, the rare few, I say and indicate more.
I think this quote is quite relevant in today's society.
As social media exploded so did the information people feel comfortable sharing with strangers. I wonder though, is leaving some things unsaid, a little mystery to be uncovered by a special person, or simply understanding the importance of security-of-information important? Of course it is! Just my opinion folks, it's ok if you disagree.
Alas, it will continue: Over-sharing, people saying too much, talking when they should remain silent and so on. Maybe the lure of the like on Facebook or Twitter is far too difficult to refuse. Maybe the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine one gets is impossible to deny...Like an addiction. But what do I know, I'm a knucklehead.
I read something which comes to mind and it goes something like this;
Understand when to remain silent as it's best to be silent and thought of as a fool than speak out and remove the doubt.
I can't recall where I read that or the exact words, but that's the gist of it. I think that's a nice little phrase to accompany this weeks Viking quote don't you think?
EDIT: Thanks to 
“It is better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.” – Abraham Lincoln
Anyway, I've probably said enough; what about you? Do you see this quote the same as I do? Do you share a lot of personal information on the internet and if so what do you gain? What's your reasoning? Alternatively are you a closed book, careful with your information and the amount of talking you do?
Tell me below in the comments.
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.
A saga is a story focused on Norse, Icelandic and Viking history, folklore and heroic achievement - Mostly recorded around the 12th and 13th century.
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.
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.
Skol.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
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