Old Babylonian

“(cf. 6.2.5: TIM 10/1 2, 1.8.1.1: ll. 25-28) To stand and to sit, to spur on the donkeys, to support (?) the prince: who has the breath for that? You are peering out from the parapet like the prince's nurse. {Because you draw water, the swamp may drink.} {(1 ms. has instead:) You draw water for pouring out, so that the swamp may drink water.} Unpleasant ...... plants {grow towards} {(1 ms. has instead:) rise up to} a good field. 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.”

Source: ETCSL c.6.1.03: Proverbs: collection 3. Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.6.1.03

“Unique: a tall pot and a shouting statue. What is placed in the fire has a valuable role to play but leaves nothing behind when it's gone. Half a shekel is half a shekel wherever you go (?); discarded, it is a shekel belonging to the place of wild cattle and serpents. (cf. 6.1.03.167, 6.1.22: l. 189, 6.2.4: VAT 21604 (+) 21605 Seg. B l. 2) He holds up the sky, letting the earth dangle from his hands. (cf. 6.2.4: VAT 21604 (+) 21605 Seg. B l. 4) He bears the responsibility for it. (cf. 6.2.4: VAT 21604 (+) 21605 Seg. B l. 7) As a provisioner, I will come down upon those who speak proudly (?). All day long, oh penis, you ejaculate as if you have blood inside you, and then you hang like a damp reed.”

Source: ETCSL c.6.1.04: Proverbs: collection 4. Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.6.1.04

“{The elephant spoke to himself: "There is nothing like me among all the creatures of Cakkan!" The wren (?) answered him: But I, in my own small way, was created just as you were!} {(1 ms. has instead:) The elephant spoke to himself: Among all the creatures of Cakkan, the one that can defecate like me has yet to be created! The wren (?) answered him: But I, in my own small way, can defecate just as much as you!} {You go like an elephant to raise a sunken boat.} {(1 ms. has instead:) An elephant is led to a sunken boat to raise it.} (cf. 6.1.03.14) The wild bull is taboo for the plough. "Like the wild bull, you only do what pleases you."”

Source: ETCSL c.6.1.05: Proverbs: collection 5. Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.6.1.05

“(cf. 6.1.02.1, 6.2.1: Ni 9824 Seg. A ll. 1-2, 6.2.3: UET 6/2 356 ll. 3-8) "In those places which have been destroyed, let more places be destroyed. In those places which have not been destroyed, let a breach be made there. Let his place become like chopped-up turnips." Their place in the universe was destroyed. -- Where there are bonds, you should not destroy the place! You should not destroy their place in the universe. approx. 14 lines missing 1 line fragmentary ...... their father does not return. (cf. 6.1.03.154, 1.8.2.1: l. 246) The clod on the one hand, the furrow on the other hand -- and as for me, I am the third one there.”

Source: ETCSL c.6.1.07: Proverbs: collection 7. Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.6.1.07

“A pig digging in the house. 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?" Like a pig ...... your dagger ....... (cf. 6.2.3: UET 6/2 275) He snatches things like a pig, as if for himself, but also for his owner. (cf. 6.2.3: UET 6/2 300 l. 1) Like a pig spattered with mud. (cf. 6.2.3: UET 6/2 300 l. 2) The pig picks up morsels of bread. 1 line fragmentary approx. 10 lines missing ...... his burden ...... it has not depressed you, it will cheer you up!”

Source: ETCSL c.6.1.08: Proverbs: collection 8. Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.6.1.08

“(cf. 6.1.10.1, 6.2.5: IM 43438 Seg. A l. 1) Whatever the man in authority said, it was not pleasant. (cf. 6.1.10.2) Whatever the man in authority said, it was not right. (cf. 6.1.10.3-4, 6.2.2: MDP 27 216, 6.2.5: IM 43438 Seg. A l. 2) When the authorities are wise, and the poor are loyal, it is the effect of the blessing of Aratta. (cf. 6.1.10.5, 6.1.22: l. 190, 6.2.3: UET 6/3 80 l. 18) The mighty man is master of the earth. (cf. 6.1.10.6) It is from a man's mouth that strength comes. (cf. 6.1.10.7, 6.2.3: UET 6/3 462) Strength cannot keep pace with intelligence. (cf. 6.1.10.8) The strength of my god completes my own.”

Source: ETCSL c.6.1.09: Proverbs: collection 9. Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.6.1.09

“2 lines fragmentary ...... his hand ....... 2 lines fragmentary ...... the go-between's fee ...... lion ...... 1 line fragmentary ...... not ...... wife ...... 1 line fragmentary unknown no. of lines missing Get on with (?) your assigned work! ...... more than a house ...... field ....... The dragon doesn't ...... its rival. In building a house ...... 1 line fragmentary ...... of the strong man. ...... its roar, the lion won't cease ....... 3 lines fragmentary ...... follow the merchant. The palace's water is coming out ....... 3 lines fragmentary unknown no. of lines missing ...... not ...... to the house. He will not found a city.”

Source: ETCSL c.6.2.1: Proverbs: from Nibru. Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.6.2.1

“(cf. 6.1.02.c13, 6.2.3: UET 6/2 244 ll. 1-2, 6.2.3: UET 6/3 80 l. 4) The voice of the irsaj bird is the glory of the garden. (cf. 6.2.3: UET 6/2 244 ll. 5-6, 6.2.3: UET 6/3 80 l. 5) The voice of the frog is the glory of the marsh waters. (cf. 6.1.02.c14, 6.2.3: UET 6/2 244 ll. 3-4, 6.2.3: UET 6/3 80 l. 6) The voice of the francolin is the glory of the fields. (cf. 6.1.03.177, 6.2.3: UET 6/2 322 l. 3) What is in one's mouth is not in one's hand. (cf. 6.1.05.95) The dog is restrained yet you do not clean the well. (cf. 6.1.05.106, 6.2.3: UET 6/2 224) A fettered dog is quarrelsome. (cf. 6.1.09.a3, 6.1.10.3-4, 6.2.5: IM 43438 Seg. A l. 2) When the authorities are wise, and the poor are loyal, it is the effect of the blessing of Aratta.”

Source: ETCSL c.6.2.2: Proverbs: from Susa. Black, J.A., Cunningham, G., Robson, E. & Zólyomi, G. (eds.), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.6.2.2