Advice to a College Student Circa 1530

Bullinger of Zurich sent his son on a study-tour of universities. The advice which he gave to the young man when he set out survived:
1. Fear God. Be humble before God. Have a firm faith. Pray that your faith may be active in charity.
Pray for your country-parents-friends. Always end prayers with the Lord's Prayer.
Use the Te Deum as an act of praise.
Read three chapters from the Bible every day.
2. Be reticent-more willing to listen than to speak.
3. Try to learn Hebrew and Greek as well as Latin; and some history, and some philosophy, and some science.
4. Keep the body clean and the clothes tidy but do not wear clothes that will cause comment.
5. Don't eat too much. Don't drink too much.
6. Keep your conversation cheerful, and moderate, and free from malice.

The above appeared in the writings of Heinrich Bullinger from the 16th century, as quoted in The Early Reformation on the Continent by Owen Chadwick (Oxford University Press, 2001).