Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Part I - Reverend Georg Bergfors, Vittangi, The Swedish National-Character
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upon the word of a Swede and his word of honour is often more sacred than
an oath. Many of our proverbs have reference to just this inherent sense of ho*
nour and faithfulness to one’s word. Foreigners not seldom, lay stress upon
this. »The Swedish spirit always strives after justice. It is this which, at one
and the same time, constitutes its strength and causes its lack of warmth». (André
Bellesort).
»One cannot think of any land, where equity of law, exists in so high a
degree», says the same author. »The Swedes’ obedience to the law and their
special sense of duty, make them very welcome every where.» (Heidenstam).
Another manifestation of the same humanity is the Swedes’ pronounced re»
luctance to dogmatics of every kind. Moral justice in Sweden has more weight
than legal justice has.
»The aristocratic trait is strongly developed in Sweden, both in a good and
bad sense. One of the strangest forms it takes is the Swede’s dislike to defend
himself against agression. It is not considered »good form» to defend oneself».
(Sundbärg). Selfish advocacy of a thing is, as a rule, judged very severely.
The power of organization possessed by the Swedes, is another unquestio*
nable element in their character. This appears throughout all Swedish history
and is seen in the activity of the guilds and other corporations that have always
existed. The ancient statue, »By law shall the land de built», is no empty
word. It expresses itself in every direction and in many ways. Everywhere the
Swede will set in order, straighten up, and put things tidy. He cannot thrive
amid disorder. Even in detail he likes to catalogue and label everything that comes
to his hånd. One only needs to mention such names as Carl von Linné (Lin«
næus), Berzelius, Hazelius, and many, many others, who have set to work brin«
ging order in several directions. »A place for everything, and everything in its
place», is a Swedish proverb which the Swedes Iiterally obey. »When one has
lived in Sweden, every other land one åfterwards may visit, strikes one as being
disorderly and dirty.» (Professor René Bellanger). It can probably be said, that,
in no other land does associated life blossom so freely as it does in Sweden.
This holds true respecting sport, temperance societies, the promoting of lec»
tures, etc.
The Swedes’ gift of equipoise, no matter what position in society his work
gives him, stands in connection with this. He can fill his place as a leader
without domineering, and he can fill a subordinate place without cringing. He
is a pattern, both as master and man. Swedes, with some Finnish biood are, as
a rule, more defiant and less submissive to discipline.
»As the born Organizer and leader, the Swede is active in disposition. He
loves to throw himself into a new enterprise, to think out new plans, to change his
business and place of living, to look around him and utilize all the possibilities in ’
other places and in foreign lands.» (Are Wærland). The temper of the Vikings
is still to be found, even today, with many Swedes. They love adventure for
its own sake. »When carrying out a new enterprise, the Swede at first is very
enthusiastic, but he is lacking in perseverance and energy; he is often tired
when the thing is half done. That is why so much is only half done here in
Sweden». (Tegnér). His capacity for action cannot confine itself to one direction,
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