Things may be traded in the city but it is the fisherman who brings in the food supply.
He hurled his insult. He laid his curse. A curse which is reciprocated will be retaliated against with yet another curse. It is an insult resulting from an insult. It is a curse resulting from a curse. It is the constant renewal of destiny. To accept a verdict is possible. To accept a curse is impossible.
What comes out from the heart of the tree is known by the heart of the tree.
You should not alienate their rituals! Where there are bonds, you should not destroy the place! You should not eradicate their place in the universe. You should not move the oxen from their places!
Let me tell you about my fate: it is an insult. Let me explain it to you: it is a disgrace. Were I to tell my neighbour about my fate, he would heap insults upon me. I looked into the water. My destiny was drifting past. I was born on an ill-fated day.
I will feed you even though you are an outcast. I will give you drink even though you are an outcast. You are still my son, even if your god has turned against you.
"I will go today" is what a herdsman says; I will go tomorrow is what a shepherd-boy says. I will go is I will go, and the time passes.
A hand will stretch out towards an outstretched hand. A hand will open for an opened hand.
When the sun is setting outside so that you cannot even recognise the hand in front of you, go indoors!
As long as you live you should not increase evil by telling lies; for if you do, to succumb will be your lot.
Weighing scales made with sinews are a trap made for the feet; a man should not take a merchant for his friend.
Variant: "Scales made with sinews are a trap contrived of dishonesty; should a man then take a merchant for his friend?"
Nanni cherished his old age. [...] He captured Simurrum, but [...] he never saw mighty kingship. Thus Nanni was carried off to the nether world.
Variant: Nanni appreciated his old age. He built Enlil's temple but did not complete it. [...] He captured Simurrum, but did not suppress it. In misery [...] thus Nanni was brought to the nether world depressed at heart.
Nanni cherished his old age: "I am what an old man should be."
One cannot drag out the weak, one cannot hold back the strong.
He who insults is insulted. He who sneers is sneered at.
Ickur splits the mountains, yet he does not split the waterskin.
As the sun rises, decisions are made. By the time the sun is up, kingship is conferred.
The battle-club would not find out your name -- it would just find your flesh.
When a man comes forward as a witness, saying: "Let me tell you what I know about him", but does not know the relevant information, it is an abomination to Suen.
If it is too sweet for him, let him eat salt. If it is not too sweet for him, let him eat licorice.
Before the fire has gone out, write your exercise tablet!
A man's personal god is a shepherd who finds pasturage for the man. Let him lead him like sheep to the food they can eat.
As long as the boasters haven't departed, their mouths make me uneasy.
The heavens were destroyed, the earth was shaken. After the heavens were destroyed and the earth was shaken, the people were still standing there on their own.
He who entered Elam -- his lips are sealed. He who has to live in Elam -- his life is not good.
When present, it was considered a loincloth; when lost, it is considered fine clothing.
If the leader is being devoured by a fire, those behind him don't say: "Where is the leader?"
When righteousness is cut off, injustice is increased.
What is placed in the fire has a valuable role to play but leaves nothing behind when it's gone.
The north wind is a satisfying wind; the south wind is harmful to man. The east wind is a rain-bearing wind; the west wind is greater than those who live there. The east wind is a wind of prosperity, the friend of Naram-Suen.
He could not overcome his fears, so he cut off what was fuelling them.
The lion who lives a life of compassion will receive it.
If a dog snarls, throw a morsel into his mouth.
The dog has been taught to pay attention; as long as he pays attention, he may escape his chain.
He said: "Woe!" and the boat sank with him. He said: "Alas!" and the rudder broke. The young man said: "Ah god!" and the boat reached its destination.
Conceived by no father, conceived by no mother, the reed came out of the breast of the storm.
A pig which was about to be slaughtered by the pig-butcher squealed. (The butcher said:) "Your ancestors and forebears walked this road, and now you too are walking it, so why are you squealing?
A man raising his hand in anger does not see clearly.
A fox demanded of Enlil the horns of a wild bull. While it was wearing the wild bull's horns, it started to rain. But the horns rose high above him, so he could not enter his burrow. Until midnight the wind kept blowing, and the clouds brought rain. Afterwards, when it had stopped raining on him, and he had dried off, he said: "I shall return this feature to its rightful owner!"
Whatever the man in authority said, it was not pleasant. Whatever the man in authority said, it was not right.
Oh Utu, you are my judge: pronounce my judgement! You are my decision-maker, decide my case! The dream that I have seen -- turn it into a favourable one! Let me walk straight, so that I can catch up with my companion!
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! May your enemy, like the flood waters of a river, return to his city.
Those who live near the water look into the mountains. They don't look in their own direction.
May the people wish you well. May your god grant what you are in agreement with.
You shouldn't give a lame man a staff. Enlil is his helper.
Let the herdsman whip the ox. Let the shepherd slaughter the sheep. Where there is no toughness, no man can go about his business.
After becoming a thief, one becomes an outcast.
No one is tall enough to reach up and touch the heavens. No one is broad enough to lift his gaze over the whole earth. [...] But you, who roar like a storm -- may you establish yourself like a lion. [...] No man can bring about your demise.
The poor man does not strike his son a single blow; he treasures him highly forever.
The chasing away of a younger son from the house of his father is an abomination to Ninurta.
Variant: Violent cursing and chasing away a son from his father's house are abominations to Ninurta.
A dishonest man chases after women's genitals.
No one walks together with him or directs their steps towards him. Life passes him by like water. He is dear to no just man, plague prevails over him. Like a worthless penny. [...] He is clothed with a garment as if a heavy punishment were assigned to him. Who is he? His name? A man sleeping with someone's wife.
Good is in the hands. Evil is also in the hands.
The heart does not let go of the good. [...] As if it were a fertile spot, the heart does not abandon the good.
Accept your lot and make your mother happy! Run fast and make your god happy!
Whatever I say, I will say it twice, and then I will repeat it again.
The liar is quarrelsome. He always lies. He always slanders. Treacherous! Malicious! Shifty-eyed!
Utu's glance is prayerful. Utu's heart is compassionate. A devotee of Utu is among the holy. Allotted by Utu to be fortunate, a [...] ship reaches the quay.
Although the number of unhappy days is endless, yet life is better than death.
To take revenge is an abomination to Ninurta.
When a trustworthy boat sets sail, Utu seeks out a trustworthy harbour for it.
To remove something from its proper place is an abomination to Ninurta.
Fear of god creates good fortune. Lamentation absolves sin. Offerings extend life.
The rich man's heart is sick, it is very sick indeed.
A stake, my lord; "hero" is its name.
If a man does not treasure his god, that man will not be buried. His heir will not provide him with water libations.
He who despises a just decision, who loves wicked decisions, is an abomination to Utu.
A judge who despises justice, cursing with the right hand, and the chasing away of a younger son from the house of his father are abominations to Ninurta.
Thanks to the word of his personal god, the fate of the man who speaks just words is favourable, and he is with him throughout the day.
My king, the lord perfect in heaven, built a house in the barren marshes.
The god of the river ordeal will admire the hearts of those who bear words of truth.
May Lumma grant prosperity to him who performs good deeds.
The voice of the forest kujanun bird is the glory of the tamarisks.
The voice of the duck is the glory of the marshes.
Utu, the lord who loves justice, extirpates wickedness and prolongs righteousness.
When battle approaches, when war arises, the plans of the gods, beloved by the gods, are destroyed.
A man without a personal god does not procure much food, does not procure even a little food. Going down to the river, he does not catch any fish. Going down to a field, he does not catch any gazelle. In important matters he is unsuccessful. When running, he does not reach his goal. Yet were his god favourable toward him, anything he might name would be provided for him.
One should pay attention to an old man's words. One should submit oneself to his protection.
Don't let your mouth accuse him; don't slander him; don't encourage violent retaliation against yourself.
A man's intelligence comes from god.
A man who does not value his god is thrown out in the desert; his body is not buried and his heir does not provide his ghost with drinking water through a libation pipe.