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These are the Three Principles on which these Laws are Founded.
1. Everybody knows that he requires the necessaries of life, and if he cannot obtain them he does not know how to preserve his life.
2. All men have a natural desire to have children, and if it is not satisfied they are not aware what evil may spring from it.
3. Every man knows that he wishes to live free and undisturbed, and that others wish the same thing.
To secure this, these laws and regulations are made.
The people of Finda have also their rules and regulations, but these are not made according to what is just—only for the advantage of priests and princes—therefore their states are full of disputes and murder.
1. If any man falls into a state of destitution, his case must be brought before the count by the maidens, because a high-minded Frisian cannot bear to do that himself.
2. If any man becomes poor because he will not work, he must be sent out of the country, because the cowardly and lazy are troublesome and ill-disposed, therefore they ought to be got rid of.
3. Every young man ought to seek a bride and to be married at five-and-twenty.[61]
4. If a young man is not married at five-and-twenty, he must be driven from his home, and the younger men must avoid him. If then he will not marry, he must be declared dead, and leave the country, so that he may not give offence.
5. If a man is impotent, he must openly declare that no one has anything to fear from him, then he may come or go where he likes.
6. If after that he commits any act of incontinence, then he must flee away; if he does not, he may be given over to the vengeance of those whom he has offended, and no one may aid him.
7. Any one who commits a theft shall restore it threefold. For a second offence he shall be sent to the tin mines. The person robbed may forgive him if he pleases, but for a third offence no one shall protect him.
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Book contents. Next: These Rules are Made for Angry People..
