Stating the obvious:

We're reading some of the Eddas for my Vikings class, and they are charming. Two quotes that really jumped out at me, both from "the Sayings of the High One" from the Poetic (Elder) Edda:

"Better to live than to be lifeless.
The living can hope for a cow."

and

"Heed my words, Loddfafnir, listen to my counsel;
you'll be better off if you believe me,
follow my advice, and you'll fare well:
if you want to travel over fjord and mountain,
don't forget food."