Instructions of Shuruppak

In those days, in those far remote days, in those nights, in those faraway nights, in those years, in those far remote years, at that time the wise one who knew how to speak in elaborate words lived in the Land.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

The instructions of an old man are precious.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

A thief is a lion, but after he has been caught, he will be a slave.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

The night: it can hide both good and evil.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

You should not use violence.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

The eyes of the slanderer always move around as shiftily as a spindle. You should never remain in his presence; his intentions should not be allowed to have an effect on you.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

The warrior is unique, he alone is the equal of many; Utu is unique, he alone is the equal of many. With your life you should always be on the side of the warrior; with your life you should always be on the side of Utu.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

The palace is like a mighty river: its middle is goring bulls; what flows in is never enough to fill it, and what flows out can never be stopped.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

When it is about someone's else bread, it is easy to say "I will give it to you", but the time of actual giving can be as far away as the sky. If you go after the man who said "I will give it to you", he will say "I cannot give it to you -- the bread has just been finished up".

— Instructions of Shuruppak

The artistic mouth recites words; the harsh mouth brings litigation documents; the sweet mouth gathers sweet herbs.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

Heaven is far, earth is most precious, but it is with heaven that you multiply your goods, and all foreign lands breathe under it.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

At harvest time, at the most priceless time, collect like a slave girl, eat like a queen; my son, to collect like a slave girl, to eat like a queen, this is how it should be.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

To speak arrogantly is like an : a herb that makes the stomach sick.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

Fate is a wet bank; it can make one slip.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

The elder brother is indeed like a father; the elder sister is indeed like a mother. Listen therefore to your elder brother, and you should be obedient to your elder sister as if she were your mother.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

You should not work using only your eyes; you will not multiply your possessions using only your mouth.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

A loving heart maintains a family; a hateful heart destroys a family.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

Nothing at all is to be valued, but life should be sweet. You should not serve things; things should serve you.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

You should not speak arrogantly to your mother; that causes hatred for you. You should not question the words of your mother and your personal god. The mother, like Utu, gives birth to the man.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

Without suburbs a city has no centre either.

— Instructions of Shuruppak

It is inconceivable that something is lost forever.

— Instructions of Shuruppak