86 THE KING'S MIRROR 



that you will suffer losses in all your wealth at one time: 

 more likely it will be secure in some localities, though 

 frequent losses be suffered. But if you find that the 

 profits of trade bring a decided increase to your funds, 

 draw out the two-thirds and invest them in good farm 

 land, for such property is generally thought the most 

 secure, whether the enjoyment of it falls to one's self or 

 to one's kinsmen^With the remaining third you may do 

 as seems best, continue to keep it in business or place 

 it all in lanoQjlowever, though you decide to keep your 

 funds invested in trade, discontinue your own journeys 

 at sea or as a trader in foreign fields, as soon as your 

 means have attained sufficient growth and you have 

 studied foreign customs as much as you likej Keep all 

 that you see in careful memory, the evil with the good; 

 remember evil practices as a warning, and the good 

 customs as useful to yourself and to others who may 

 wish to learn from you. 



V 



THE SVN AND THE WINDS 



Son. It is evident that whoever wishes to become in- 

 formed on such matters as those which you have now 

 discussed must first try to determine what is most worth 

 learning and afterwards to keep in mind all that he has 

 heard. But in your discussion just recently you men- 

 tioned several things the nature of which I do not under- 

 stand, though I have reflected upon your statements, 

 namely, the lights of the sky and the movements of the 

 ocean. Moreover, you urged me to learn these things 

 and stated that there is knowledge in learning them. But 



