THE KING'S MIRROR 227 



wishes to be ranked among them as a worthy man. But 

 there are three things (which are, however, almost the 

 same in reality) which one must observe with care : they 

 are wisdom, good breeding, and courtesy. It is courtesy 

 to be friendly, humble, ready to serve, and elegant in 

 speech; to know how to behave properly while convers- 

 ing or making merry with other menfe to know precisely, 

 when a man is conversing with women, whether they 

 be young or older in years, of gentle or humble estate, 

 how to select such expressions as are suited to their rank 



and are as proper for them to hear as for him to use. In 

 like manner when one speaks with men, whether they 

 be young or old, gentle or humble, it is well to knowjhow 

 to ejnploy jitting words and how to determine what ex- 

 pressions are proper for each one to take note of. Even 

 when mere pleasantry is intended, it is well to choose 

 fair and decent words. It is also courtesy to know how 

 to discriminate in language, when to use plural and when 

 to use singular forms in addressing the men with whom 

 one is conversing; to know how to select one's clothes 

 both as to color and other considerations; and to know 

 when to stand or sit, when to rise or kneel. It is also 

 courtesy to know when a man ought to let his hands 

 drop gently and to keep them quiet, or when he ought 

 to move them about in service for himself or for others; 

 to know in what direction to turn his face and breast, 

 and how to turn his back and shoulders. It is courtesy 

 to know precisely when he is free to wear his cloak, hat, 

 or coif, if he has one, and when these are not to be worn; 

 also to know, when at the table, whether good breeding 

 demands that one must watch the great men partake of 



