The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature

ETCSLtranslation : t.6.1.11

Proverbs: collection 11

Segment A

approx. 4 lines missing

11.4

5. …… the storehouse …….

11.5

6-7. (cf. 6.1.03.55, 6.1.07.48) As long as you live you should not increase evil by lying; for if you do, to succumb will be your lot.

11.6

8-9. (cf. 6.1.02.133, 6.1.22: l. 80, 6.1.26.d3) To collect firewood is a job for the strong man. The weak man sits waiting for him on dry land.

11.7

10-13. (cf. 6.1.01.150)
1 line unclear
Let an articulate man live in the house with you like a wicked poor man. Like my own affairs, antimony paste (?) is air: let …… fat be eaten in the mist.

11.8

14-15. (cf. 6.1.02.103) Although the lamentation priest's grain boat was sinking, he would be walking on dry land.

11.9

16-18. (cf. 6.1.02.103) Enki
2 lines fragmentary

11.10

19-23.
5 lines fragmentary
approx. 14 lines missing

Segment B

11.18

1-5. (cf. 6.1.03.31, 6.1.09.b1, 6.1.15.b8, 6.1.25.4, 6.2.1: Ni 4469 Seg. A ll. 9-12) Nanni appreciated his old age. He built Enlil's temple but did not complete it. He built a wall around Nibru, but ……. He captured Simurrum, but did not suppress it. In misery he ……. Thus Nanni was brought to the nether world depressed at heart.

11.19

6-7. (cf. 6.1.03.71, 6.1.19.b6, 6.1.24.5)
1 line fragmentary …… its hands …… to the edge of the desert.

11.20

8. When it stretches, it …….

11.21

9-10. (cf. 6.1.07.41) He spoke but did not keep his word. He keeps speaking but shies away from his responsibilities.

11.22

11-12. (cf. 6.1.03.69) He who insults is insulted. He who sneers is sneered at.

11.23

13. So says the slave girl: "It has been carried away!"

11.24

14. "Let the master's god split it, then."

11.25

15. (cf. 6.1.03.89) The overseer does not know how to assign the work and so cannot stop the trembling (?).

16. (cf. 6.1.02.d7) Now, you should not sleep in the reedbeds.

17. (cf. 6.1.02.d7) The rats of the reedbeds will eat you.
approx. 5 lines missing

11.29

23-26.
2 lines fragmentary …… guard …… reach out to you …….
approx. 21 lines missing

Segment C

11.35

1.
1 line fragmentary

11.36

2.
1 line missing

11.37

3.
1 line fragmentary

11.38

4-5.
2 lines fragmentary

11.39

6-8. (cf. 6.1.01.109) You cannot butt me with your horns! Why are you butting? I am running away!

11.40

9-11. Like a tall person …… not …… lifting …… lifting.

11.41

12-14.
1 line fragmentary Letting water flow into the dykes
1 line fragmentary

11.42

15. A gir fish of the sea, whose head is wider than its body.

11.43

16. From the river, oh Inana, let my man eat.

11.44

17. Rats dig the ground.
approx. 24 lines missing

Segment D

11.51

1-3.
3 lines fragmentary

11.52

4-5. "My affairs are great affairs, my offices are great offices."

11.53

6-7. (cf. 6.1.01.97, 6.1.07.104) An exciteable man should not become an overseer. A shepherd should not become a farmer.

11.54

8. (cf. 6.1.01.104, 6.1.15.c3, 6.1.26.b4, 6.1.28.8) Were you to pour oil onto the top of a sceptre.

11.55

9. From within a tree, a spoon. Who is it?

11.56

10. (cf. 6.1.25.9, 6.1.26.a2, 6.2.5: UM 29-16-519 Seg. B l. 2) A palace will fall of its own accord.

11.57

11-12. (cf. 6.1.18.15) Oh whirlwind, I despatched you towards Agade. What did you accomplish in Agade? The dream was favourable!
approx. 26 lines missing

Segment E

11.66

1. (cf. 6.1.26.a6, 6.2.5: UM 29-16-519 Seg. B l. 6) To take revenge is the prerogative of Ninurta.

11.67

2-3. "That my friend should be well is our wish, and that our enemies should be gone! May those friendly to you reach their goal as a ship does a friendly harbour!"

11.68

4. "May your enemy, like the flood waters of a river, return to his city."

11.69

5-6. (cf. 6.1.02.149, 6.1.26.d15) Those who live near the water look into the mountains. They don't look in their own direction.

11.70

7-8. (cf. 6.1.02.150) Adapa knows no loss as he walks within the mountains.

11.71

9-10. Living is living. But to live (?) like (?) a lord!
approx. 30 lines missing

Segment F

11.82

1-3.
3 lines fragmentary

11.83

4-6.
3 lines missing

11.84

7-11.
3 lines fragmentary …… merchant …… partner …….

11.85

12-13. (cf. 6.2.5: YBC 7345) The cripple (?) took a reed basket. For (?) his words a man beats him.
unknown no. of lines missing

Segment G

11.g1

1-2. (= Alster 1997 p. 195 A viii)
2 lines fragmentary
unknown no. of lines missing

Segment H

11.h1

1-4. (= Alster 1997 p. 195 A ix)
4 lines fragmentary
unknown no. of lines missing

Segment I

11.130

1-2.
2 lines fragmentary

11.131

3-4. (cf. 6.1.02.126, 6.1.04.56) Says the man lying on the roof to the man living in the house: "It is too bright up here!"

11.132

5-6. A distant (?) good word …… a cargo boat.

11.133

7-8. Uncleared debts …… are something which makes debts to Utu.

11.134

9-12.
4 lines fragmentary
approx. 29 lines missing

Segment J

11.146

1-2. (cf. 6.1.02.37, 6.2.3: UET 6/2 267 ll. 1-2) You're a scribe but you don't even know how to write your own name? Shame on you!

11.147

3. (cf. 5.6.1: l. 202) A loving heart builds houses.

11.148

4. (cf. 5.6.1: l. 203) A hating heart destroys houses.

11.149

5-6. Her friend advises (?) her: "It is for your own good."

11.150

7. (cf. 5.6.1: l. 208) Don't choose a wife during a festival!
approx. 30 lines missing

Segment K

11.160

1-2.
2 lines fragmentary

11.161

3. You cool down their hearts.

11.162

4-8. I am a capable scribe. There will be a prominent place for me. I will bring my …… protection …… to the stewardship.
2 lines fragmentary
approx. 18 lines missing

Revision history

16.iv.2002: JT, editor: adapting translation
27.ix.2002: JAB, editor: proofreading
16.xii.2002: GC, editor: SGML tagging
20.vi.2003: JE, editor: web publication
01.vi.2003: GC/JE, editor/technical developer: XML/TEI conversion