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312 EELIGION OF THE NORTHMEN.
"A bleeding heart is his who has to beg his bread
for every meal."
"Early shall he rise whose laborers are few, and
see to his work ; many things hinder him who sleeps
away the morning. The half of riches depends on
quickness."
A strict adherence to oaths and promises
"This I counsel thee secondly, that thou swear
not an oath unless it be true ; cruel fetters shall
bind the traitor; wretched is he who breaks his
Word."
Candor and fidelity as well as foresight in love
devotion to the tried friend, but dissimulation toward
the false and war to the death against the implacable
enemy.
" To thy friend shalt thou be a Mend, to him and
his friend ; but no one should be the friend of his
friend's enemy."
"Hast thou a friend in whom thou hast full con-
fidence, and thou wilt receive good from him, then
mingle thy thoughts with his, exchange gifts with
him and visit him often."
" But hast thou another in whom thou hast not
great confidence, and yet will receive goocJ from
him, fair words shalt thou speak to him but falsely
think, and reward loose speech with lies."
" Never be the first to break off rashly with thy
friend. Sorrow consumes the heart when thou hast
no one to whom thou canst open thy whole mind."
"Make thy friend's misfortune thy own; but
give thy enemy no peace."
'* If thou wilt find a good wife, to be a pleasant
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