Keep thou quiet as thou art; indeed thou wilt almost be able to find out by means of others what are thy resources for war.

Let the soldiers first try the fortunes of their king.

Provide in peace for thine own safety, and risk others if thou dost undertake the enterprise: better that the slave should perish than the master.

Let thy servant do for thee what the tongs do for the smith, who by the aid of his iron tool guards his hand from scorching, and saves his fingers from burning.
Learn thou also, by using thy men, to spare and take thought for thyself." So spake Erik, and Gotar, who had hitherto held him a man of no parts, now marvelled that he had graced his answer with sentences so choice and weighty, and gave him the name of Shrewd-spoken, thinking that his admirable wisdom deserved some title.

For the young man's reputation had been kept in the shade by the exceeding brilliancy of his brother Roller.