When, in an era long past, the newspapers regaled us with humorous stories about kings who had once successfully fathered, each time I mentally returned to King Cormac and to the truthful ancient chronicles that told me about him and about that early time.
“O Cormac, grandson of Conal,” asked Coirbre, “what were your customs in your youth?”
“It’s not hard to say,” Cormac answered. -I listened to the forest, I looked at the stars, I avoided secrets, I was silent in the crowd, I spoke with people, I was meek at feasts, I was ardent in battle, I was gentle in friendship, I was generous with the weak, I was firm with the strong.
I was not arrogant, although I was strong; I did not promise anything, although I was rich; I did not boast of anything, although I was skilled in many things; I did not speak ill of the one who was absent; I did not revile, but praised; I did not ask, but gave, for only these customs make a young man a husband and a true warrior.
“O Cormac, grandson of Conal,” asked Coirbre, “what customs should I follow?”
“It’s not difficult to say,” answered Cormac, “if you follow the teaching: Don’t laugh at the old if you’re young; and over the poor, if you are rich; and over the lame, if you are nimble; and over the blind, if you are sighted; and over the sick, if you are healthy; and over the stupid, if you are capable; and over a fool if you are wise.
Don't be too smart and don't be too stupid; don't be too arrogant and don't be too shy; don't be too proud and don't be too humble; Don't be too talkative and don't be too silent; don't be too harsh and don't be too kind.
If you are too smart, too much will be expected of you; if you are too arrogant, you will be avoided; if you are too modest, you will not be respected; if you are too talkative, they will not pay attention to you; if you are too silent, they will not take you into account; if you are too harsh, they will recoil from you; if you are too kind, you will be trampled.
“O Cormac, grandson of Conal,” asked Coirbre, “what customs are good for a king?”
“It’s not hard to say,” Cormac answered. - For him, the best thing is: firmness without anger, persistence without argument, politeness without arrogance; let him protect the ancient sciences, administer justice, broadcast the truth, honor poets, worship the Almighty God.
He should seek advice from the wise, follow the teachings of antiquity, observe the laws, be honest with friends, be courageous with enemies, study the arts, comprehend languages, listen to elders, remain deaf to slander. Let him be gentle, let him be stern, let him be passionate, let him be merciful, let him be fair, let him be tolerant, let him be stubborn, let him hate lies, let him love truth, let him not remember evil, let him not forget good, let there be many people at his table, but few in the secret council, let his alliances be firm, let his taxes be easy, let his judgments and decisions be quick and clear.
For it is by these qualities that true kings are recognized.
In the old days they said: “It is awkward to start courting a widow before she has even returned home from her husband’s funeral.”
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru