Rock The Boat

I was a listener in the woods,
I was a gazer at the stars,
I was not blind where secrets were concerned,
I was silent in a wilderness,
I was talkative among many,  
I was mild in the mead-hall,
I was stern in battle,
I was gentle towards allies,

I was a physican of the sick,

I was weak towards the feeble, 

I was strong towards the powerful,

I was not parsimonious lest I be burdensome,

I was not arrogant though I was wise, 

I was not given to vain promises though I was strong, 

I was not unsafe though I was swift, 

I did not deride the old though I was young,  

I was not boastful though I was a good fighter, 

I would not speak about any one in their absence,

I would not reproach, but I would praise,

I would not ask, but I would give.

Cormac Mac Cuileannain, King and Poet of Cashel, AD 836-908

(As translated by Peter Berresford Ellis. From "The Mammoth Book of Celtic Myths and Legends.")