odin's speech

this is a speech that the norse god, odin, makes to primitive man to explain to him how to behave. i am posting it here because i think that it is still very valid in our modern era. i am copying this from d'aulaires' norse gods and giants, so the speech is probably not a literal translation from the norwegian, but it's great anyway.

"your friend's friends shall be your friends; your friend's foes shall be your foes. tread down the path to your friend's house and don't let it overgrow with weeds," he said.
"always keep your door open to the tired traveler. the man who comes to your house with shivering knees needs a place by the fire and dry clothes and warm food.
"when you enter the house of a stranger, look into cupboards and dark corners to see if a foe might be hiding. then take the seat that is offered to you, and listen more than you speak. for then no one will notice how little you know.
"always have a bite to eat before going to a feast; a hungry man is not a bright speaker.
"it's an unwise man who sits awake worrying all night. when morning comes he will be too tired to think and matters will be still more tangled."
and last, he always said, "men die, cattle die, you yourself must die one day. there is only one thing that will not die- the name, good or bad, that you have made for yourself."