82 THE KING'S MIRROR 



them and to remember them after they are learned. And 

 if you think there are any other important matters that 

 ought to be taken up in this discussion, I shall be glad 

 to listen attentively. 



Father. There are, indeed, certain matters which 

 should not be omitted from this discourse, but they can 

 be stated in a few words, if that seems best. Train your- 

 self to be as active as possible, though not so as to injure 

 your health. Strive never to be downcast, for a downcast 

 mind is always morbid; try rather to be friendly and 

 genial at all times, nf_g.n_pyen temper and neverjmoody. 

 Be upright and teach the right to every man who wishes 

 to learn from you; and always associate with the best 

 men. Guard your tongue carefullv_i_this_is good counsel, 

 for your tongue may honor ^oj^JbutuLLjxiay. also con- 

 jpjrm ymi. .Though you_be^agry speak few words and 

 jiever in passion rfor^ unless one is ^^^^jJ^J^y utter 

 JKQjds jnwrath that he would later give gold tphay_. 

 unspoken^Dn the whole, I know of no revenge, though 

 many employ it, that profits a man less than to bandy 

 heated words with another, even though he has a quarrel 

 to settle with him. You shall know of a truth that no 

 virtue is higher or stronger than the power to keep one's 

 tongue from foul or profane speech, tattling, or slander- 

 ^fous talk in any form .[if children be given to you, let 

 4 1 VjJbem not grow up without learning a trade]] for we may 



." t< ijl expect a man to keep closer to knowledge and business 



pality as well as the traders who were more or less permanently located there. 

 It is believed that the name is derived from Birka, a trading center in eastern 

 Sweden not far from the site of modern Stockholm. The " Birch-Isle " code 

 is published in Norges Gamle Love, I, part iii, 303-336. 



