Smil is by no means devoid of worldly wisdom; witness the following passage: "Be liberal as far as is seemly--Do not by shabbiness injure your soul--Neither must you come to ruin by too great liberality--Dignified measure (moderation) is honourable in all things.--To your poor friends be amiable--And take special heed to be generous to them--Visit them in their distress--These are honourable and knightly debts (duties).--Reward those who serve you faithfully--Who heartily strive for your glory--Who wish to raise you higher--Than your own power (alone) could reach;--To these your hand should not be niggardly.--To be too haughty, O my son--To impose your will on the people--That I by no means advise.--For he who is too proud--Haughty more than is well--He cannot be beloved of the people.--Even if by his bravery in battle he could penetrate victoriously through all ramparts--Yet by his haughtiness he vexes--Every one in every way--Too great haughtiness, therefore, does not become a great lord...." In the last part of the counsel the father advises his son with regard to his duties towards ladies, repeatedly inculcating chivalrous devotion to them. He writes: "Dear son, nearly all have I said--(To my best knowledge)--That is truly necessary for your fame--But carefully will I give you--Yet one more token of knightly honour.--You should honour all good ladies--Defending with true faith their fair name--Should any one by evil speech against women attempt to curry favour--You should declare--That evil speech ever remains evil--And that honest words should contradict it.--According to honour and wise advice--You should everywhere spread their (_i.e._ the ladies') glory--You should ever obey their will--Be constantly in their service--And be grateful for their favours.... Therefore, my son, reflect on this--Consider the favour of ladies as gold--And indeed as worth more than precious stones--Compared to this there is--No thing as precious in the whole world."