‘O grandson of Conn, Cormac,’ said Carpre, ‘what is best for the good of a tribe?’ ‘Not hard to tell,’ said Cormac.
that is best for the good of a tribe.
- A meeting of nobles,
5] Frequent assemblies,
An enquiring mind,
Questioning the wise,
Quelling every evil,
Fulfilling every good
10] An assembly according to rules,
Following ancient lore
A lawful synod,
A lawful lord,
Righteous chieftains,
15] Not to crush wretches,
Keeping treaties,
Mercifulness with good customs,
Consolidating kinship,
Weaving together synchronisms,
20] Fulfilling the law,
Legality of ancient alliances,
A covenant without curtailment,
Warrior-bands without overbearing,
Manliness against foes,
25] Honesty towards brothers,
Just sureties,
Full compensations,
Righteous judgments,
Honest witnesses,
30] Keeping a bargain without detriment,
Interest on detriment,
Evenly balanced substances,
Ready hiring,
Hostages for honour,
35] Lending without stint,
Acceptable loans,
An equivalent for every good,
A dignified response,
Legitimate measure,
40] Learning every art,
Knowledge of every language,
Skill in variegated work,
Pleading with established maxims,
Passing judgment with precedents,
45] Giving alms,
Mercy towards the poor,
Pledges for (carrying out) judgments,
Honest guarantees,
Listening to elders,
50] Turning a deaf ear to the rabble,
Guarding the frontier against every evil,
Let him not be smooth-faced where the good of the tribe is concerned,
Let him not be greasy in the mead-court house —