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Quotation from The Poetic Edda by Anonymous (Old Norse)

“Less good there lies | than most believe In ale for mortal men; For the more he drinks | the less does man Of his mind the mastery hold.”

Anonymous (Old Norse) (spoken by Othin (the High One))

The Poetic Edda, Hovamol, stanza 12, trans. Henry Adams Bellows (1923)

Portrait of Anonymous (Old Norse)

Part of the opening counsel on conduct in a stranger's hall, warning against drunkenness before Othin admits to his own at Gunnloth's house.

Citation: "Less good there lies | than most believe In ale for mortal men; For the more he drinks | the less does man Of his mind the mastery hold." — Anonymous (Old Norse), The Poetic Edda, Hovamol, stanza 12, trans. Henry Adams Bellows (1923). (id poetic-edda-q5)

Virtues: Temperance

Portrait: Codex Regius of Eddaic Poems, Unknown author, Public domain.

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Quote card: Less good there lies | than most believe In ale for mortal men; For the more he