‘O son, if you listen to me,’ said Cormac, ‘this is my instruction to you: ’
- Do not let a man with friends be your steward,
nor a woman with sons and fostersons your housekeeper,
nor a man of many desires your dispenser,
5] nor a man of much delay your miller,
nor a violent foul-mouthed man your messenger,
nor a grumbling sluggard your servant,
nor a garrulous man your counsellor,
nor a bibulous man your cup-bearer,
10] nor a man with a bad sight your watchman,
nor a bitter, haughty man your doorkeeper,
nor a compassionate man your judge,
nor a man without knowledge your leader,
nor an unfortunate man your adviser.