Since everything ought to be done in the name of God, especially among the children of God, and otherwise nothing happens happily, let the first concern of teachers be the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom. Truly, we fear God when we meditate upon His word and direct all our actions, efforts, intentions, habits, invocations—in essence, our entire life—according to His will. Therefore, let this be rightly the first ordinance for establishing God's law: that daily, they first render thanks to God for having protected us during the night, as well as for other blessings, and that they beseech assistance and guidance for the coming day and for the entirety of life, so that it may flow in the glory of God and for the benefit of humankind. Let something from Scripture also be read, so that the fear of God and piety may be increased before proceeding to other studies.

Though everything is contained in the first law—for he who wishes to surrender himself entirely to the will of God will, of his own accord, fulfill what he owes to God, parents, preceptors, and those who represent them, such as hypodidaskali in the schools, friends, superiors, equals, and inferiors—in every great society, more laws about the duties of individuals are required, which would explicitly determine what is whose duty. Therefore, let the second law be that none of the students neglect either the religious or the philosophical lecture, that they prepare for it in time, and that all be in school at five in the morning, at noon after lunch, on Wednesdays at two, on Saturdays before the singing of psalms. However, if someone cannot be present due to some urgent reasons, let him first notify the rector. For leniency in neglecting lectures and school regulations carries with it evident stubbornness and contempt for knowledge; such transgressions greatly offend not only people but also God. And it is not probable that one who deliberately disregards learning sincerely cares about knowledge and is diligent in study.

Since listening is of no benefit if you do not repeat what you have heard, let students also know that it is their duty to gather for repetition in suitable and not suspicious places. At times when teaching is occurring at school, let them not appear in public places, for that only causes scandal.

What is acquired by reading, listening, and repetition must be fixed in memory through conversation, writing, and exercise. Let the speech of all be Latin. And although style—the best artist and teacher of the word—ought to be practiced daily, nevertheless, individuals must every eighth day submit some written assignment to the correctors. Written assignments of the first class shall be delivered to the teacher.

Let students not gather only for lectures or other benefits in learning. For if artisans occupy themselves with matters of their craft, it would be shameful if students did not occupy themselves with scholastic matters and plunged into revelry, idleness, and other corruption. God did not call us to this, but that we might be, as it were, a light to the entire state and church, that we might shine upon all other people with knowledge, counsel, and all virtues; that all public and private counsels might sometime be sought from us as from divine oracles. For these tasks—truly most agreeable—those who do not now direct all their thoughts to that goal and do not prepare for it with all effort, but neglect serious study and lead a frivolous and disordered life, will be in no way suited. For he who has never learned to obey will never know how to command others rightly. Therefore, when students gather, let them discuss either some theme from the lectures or other timely and occasional questions, and let each express his opinion modestly, not contentiously. For contentious people know not how to conduct anything properly. These meetings ought to be similar to senatorial gatherings, in which matters useful to the state are deliberated. Let conversations be conducted on questions of grammar, dialectic, rhetoric, philosophy, the nature of things, morality, and theology. Within these boundaries let discussions of the sciences proceed; other discourses, such as those held by parasites, slanderers, fornicators, and people of similar kind, are not worthy of our status.

Let all participate in divine services, and in this matter, let the old custom be observed that all go in order from the school to the church and from there back to the school, first the younger and the others after them. For it is not sufficient that something be done, but it must be done decently. Nothing is beautiful that lacks order. And this applies all the more to divine services, about which Paul says: "In the church let all things be done decently and in order." Good dispositions hold order in high esteem. But if someone violates it, he shows by his deeds the depravity of his character.

Since the principal ceremonies, such as preaching and administering the sacraments, are performed by priests (for this Christ established for the restoration of human salvation, therefore they must be commended and held in reverence; all else is human institution), nothing is a greater duty of students than the study of those ceremonies, in which they ought to be as a mirror of the entire nation and which would also contribute to their salvation. Therefore, we especially desire that they attend sermons and frequently approach the sacraments. So that the negligent may be better observed, let it be announced to all who wish to participate in confession and the Lord's Supper that they should first report to the teacher. For those who are negligent in the use of the sacraments should not remain without punishment and reproach (although forced devotion is not pleasing to God, yet discipline requires it), so that the wicked do not scandalize the good by their negligence, nor should the latter grow tepid in fulfilling Christian duties.

In clothing, let all remember that they are students and not soldiers. It is forbidden to wear slashed footwear and a cloak thrown over half the shoulder and not properly worn. This manner of dress reveals both arrogance and ignorance and looseness of morals. On the other hand, decent attire also displays an upright and disciplined spirit.

Let students behave toward one another with mutual respect, let them fulfill their duties to each other, among which let friendly admonition be foremost as an encouragement to study; thus, in the city, let them greet citizens and honorable matrons and give thanks by uncovering the head. Let it not be heard of them that they are arrogant and immodest. Serious reasons ought to encourage students to this attentiveness. For in whatever one sins, it brings disgrace upon the sciences, the entire learned estate, religion, and the name of God. It is a heavy burden to incur such great disgrace. Far more must one avoid all shameful and inappropriate games, nocturnal carousings, wanderings, and other things foreign to school discipline. Such manners are not befitting those who ought to be the flower of the entire human society.

If any dispute arises, they must not settle it among themselves. The matter shall be presented either to the teacher or to arbiters, but even their decision must be submitted to the rector.

At this school, due to a lack of teachers, no fixed term can be established for declamations and disputations. It will be within the competence of the rector to determine a time that suits him.

Buying and selling of books and other things among students is not permitted without the teacher's permission. A serious reason for this prohibition is the arbitrariness of many. If, however, someone buys something from a student and does not inform the teacher or consult with him, he loses both the purchased item and the money.

These matters should occupy the next place after the care for religion. The third place belongs to the care for teaching during the week and in what order it should be conducted. This law would not be necessary if everything depended on the authority of one teacher, as proper school management requires. Once it was said of every government: "Rule by many is not a good thing; let there be one ruler." The meaning of this law is that none of the students should dare to teach any boy unless ordered by the teacher. The reasons for this law are many and serious. For it violates the order and authority established by God. When there is no respect for these things, nothing can be governed rightly and successfully. The teacher has a great responsibility, who must give an account of each student. How can he do this if he does not know who teaches whom and how well? As a bishop in the church, a commander in the army, so must the teacher care for every detail.

When boys have acquired the skill of reading and writing and have learned the foundations of the catechism, we wish that this also be reported to the rector. Then let them be sent to the second class for an examination in grammar and to learn its rules on Terence. It is necessary that there be a distinction between public and private pedagogues. The latter must conduct their activities outside of public action at times when there are no public lectures, either to review with the boys entrusted to them or to correct their written works. It is not fitting that someone diminishes the already too small revenues of the school for private gain, just as it is a great disgrace in the community to exploit the state for one's own benefit.

The boys of the townsmen, according to the ordinance and law of this state, if they are in the first class, pay each trimester to the hypodidaskalos 13 coins, in the second class 7, in the third 1 coin. Foreigners pay the hypodidaskalos 2 and the teacher 25 coins. Nobles will pay in place of 2 coins by right 4. This is demanded by justice in distribution, by which alone the entire society can be governed justly. Those whom the teacher teaches privately pay by right for double work also double reward. It is left to the teacher's consideration how to behave toward the poor. If there are foreign students in the second class, they shall pay the hypodidaskalos 14 coins each trimester, for nothing is paid for them officially. Besides these fees, they must in winter contribute to the purchase of wood and repair of windows, as much as the teacher (magister) will determine. To the stoker 6 coins. However, these laws do not prescribe to those who wish to give more. For teachers can never be sufficiently recompensed.

If anything is lacking in these laws, let daily admonitions supply it, although those who will observe them will easily protect themselves from reproach. And although laws not only prescribe what must be done and prohibit what must be avoided, yet they promise rewards to the good and obedient. To the disobedient, however, they threaten punishments, for these violently violate the laws. Likewise, the good know that rewards will not miss them, for the teacher (preceptor) will have special affection for them, will support them in study, present and absent, with recommendation and whatever else he can; they will be dear to parents, townsmen, and all others. Finally, according to the promise of the fourth commandment, they will receive a long and happy life, to spend it in the successes of their work and in dignity, and finally, in that eternal society, they will receive rewards. Evil and stubborn students who will not wish to live according to these laws, let them know that for them there will be no place in decent scholastic society. For society is a special dwelling of God, from where He takes the learned who serve Him in the world, and from where He selects politicians and good stewards. This society, like no other in this life, is a foreshadowing of that eternal life, in which, as here in school, the church gathers to listen to the wisdom of God and our Lord Jesus Christ and to many conversations of all the saints. Exclusion is thus a sufficiently great punishment for the disobedient. To the others, who do not transgress through obstinacy and contempt of God but through youthful offense, punishment will be imposed according to the nature of the transgression, as the teacher (preceptor) will determine.

"From bad manners good laws are born," said Plato, "for they provide the learned an opportunity to enact laws for their removal." And because many care more for the symposium (banquets) than the gymnasium, we wish that all gatherings where there is an opportunity to drink be avoided, especially celebrations of birthdays and farewells, which are more costly than others. Even if they are not in themselves entirely dishonorable, yet young men in their imprudence usually turn them to their own detriment as well as to the detriment of their fellow diners, especially when there is no one among them who could restrain them by his authority. It would be much more honorable to devote that money to sciences than to gluttony, from which an honorable man must be protected with all effort. Finally, we have experienced that from such communal carousings always arose more evil than good. If, however, someone still thinks that he ought to invite a few, let him do so with the teacher's consent. For this is the principal part of a student's duty, to commit himself to the teacher's guidance in all things.

All students of the first class shall copy out by their own hand the prescriptions of the teaching order of this school, so that they know what and how they must learn. Besides this booklet, let them also have another in which they will collect stylistic examples. For the negligence of those who will not have booklets will not remain without punishment; the teacher will ensure that an inspection is conducted and at what time.

Aristotle says: "He who gives power to the law gives it to God. But he who gives it to man gives it to a beast." Being earnestly admonished by this saying, we have written these laws with common consent, and even if some propose something else, let only the discipline be firmly and incorruptibly maintained, which is necessary everywhere, but especially in our scholastic and truly angelic society.

That each student participate in lectures and religious services and not evade the order which the teacher (preceptor) will establish according to public laws. The main reason for this law is that the majority neglect lectures, sermons, and ceremonies. Rightly do we repeat this law, for even our predecessors did not conscientiously observe it.

I. For missing one lecture, let them not receive food once; for two lectures, twice, and so on thereafter. However, for missing one sermon, let them not receive food twice. By absence from religious services, they offend the people. As the offense increases, the punishment must also be increased. By this law, we have very briefly encompassed the provisions of our predecessors. If this is not sufficient to suppress the unbridled license of some students, we will add two more laws.

II. In approaching the reception of God's gifts, which are provided to us through the serving of food, each approaches modestly. Let the younger say the accepted prayer for all present. During eating, let there be no idle talk, clownish gesticulations, or disputes. After the meal, let them again give thanks to God. The offender shall immediately, according to the senior's (older student's) decision, not receive the whole meal or a portion.

III. After nine o'clock, no one shall wander outside the school unless he has some serious reason. Even students who live privately should be at home at the same hour and go to bed early. Although this custom is useful in many respects, it is most useful in that we are more capable for studies in the morning. Punishment: those who stay out and repeatedly commit the same offense, the senior shall report to the teacher (preceptor).

Whoever will respect all these laws given with the highest consent will derive such benefit from them that he will be very well disposed to observe even other laws given either by the state or the church. Whoever despises them will also bear the punishment for this contempt. Then he will not be fit even for performing other things. For one fault always invites another.

I. Whoever, without serious reason, does not attend a lecture shall indeed receive food but shall be punished with school punishment. The heavier the offense, the heavier the punishment. Thus, let those who come late be punished.

II. Around ten o'clock, let all mendicants gather. Whoever does not appear at this time shall be punished according to merit.

III. When food is brought, let them pray in the presence of all. Then let them modestly partake of the alms. Whoever does not observe this shall not receive food, and besides, the senior shall beat him.

IV. After the meal, let them again give thanks to God. Let the vessels be removed from the table so that dogs do not knock them over. Whoever does not do this shall not receive food.

V. Let the bell-ringers run to the bell immediately when they hear the given signal, and especially on Saturday at two o'clock, let all be in school.

VI. It is not permitted to distract mendicants from study to perform various services. Let them know that they must obey only the laws; but yet let them not refuse help if they can do so without detriment to their study.

Only the senior or the pedagogue has the right to beat you. The reason: if some among you were bad, the worse someone would be, the more daring he would be if he beat you. If someone were so bold, you can turn to the senior to present your case to the teacher (preceptor). However, if you insult any of the boys or wrong him, even you will be severely punished by the senior.

I. Testimonials can be given only to deserving students whom the teachers have also recognized as such and who have lived here continuously for at least two years.

II. The privilege of "recordations" shall be granted to those who understand music, to new ones after two months.

III. Newcomers shall not go to the rector without a testimonial or some recommendation. If someone brings a weapon, he shall deposit it with the rector. In the school live not soldiers of Mars but pupils of Pallas.

IV. When the rector accepts and enrolls a new student, let him go to the cantor and undergo an examination in the art of music.