Perseverance - Enduring Through Hardship
Continue despite obstacles; those who endure achieve what others cannot.
The Norse faced constant challenges - harsh winters, dangerous voyages, powerful enemies. Perseverance meant continuing when others quit. This dogged determination allowed Vikings to achieve feats that seemed impossible to others.
The coward thinks he will live forever if he holds back in the battle, but old age brings no peace to him though spears may spare his life.
Perseverance was necessary for survival and success in the Viking world.
Poetic Edda
Written about in
- What Norse tradition says about courage
The Havamal's case against holding back is not that it is shameful but that it does not work. The careful man still gets old, and old age brings him no peace either.