Do not set out to stand around in the assembly. Do not loiter where there
is a dispute, for in the dispute they will have you as an observer. Then you will be made
a witness for them, and they will involve you in a lawsuit to affirm something that does
not concern you. In case of a dispute, get away from it, disregard it! If a dispute
involving you should flare up, calm it down. A dispute is a covered pit, a wall which can
cover over its foes; it brings to mind what one has forgotten and makes an accusation
against a man. Do not return evil to your adversary; requite with kindness the one who
does evil to you, maintain justice for your enemy, be friendly to your enemy.
Give food to eat, beer to drink, grant what is requested, provide for and
treat with honor. At this one's god takes pleasure. It is pleasing to Shamash, who will
repay him with favor. Do good things, be kind all your days.
Do not honor a slave girl in your house; she should not rule your bedroom
like a wife, do not give yourself over to slave girls....Let this be said among your
people: "The household which a slave girl rules, she disrupts." Do not
marry a prostitute, whose husbands are legion, an Ishtar-woman who is dedicated to a god,
a kulmashitu-woman..... When you have trouble, she will not support you, when you
have a dispute she will be a mocker. There is no reverence or submissiveness in her. Even
if she is powerful in the household, get rid of her, for she pricks up her ears for the
footsteps of another.
My son, if it be the wish of a ruler that you belong to him, if you are
entrusted with his closely guarded seal, open his treasure house and enter it, for no one
but you may do it. Uncounted wealth you will find inside, but do not covet any of that,
nor set your mind on a secret crime, for afterwards the matter will be investigated and
the secret crime which you committed will be exposed.
Do not speak ill, speak only good. Do not say evil things, speak well of
people. He who speaks ill and says evil---people will waylay him because of his debt to
Shamash. Do not talk too freely, watch what you say. Do not express your innermost
thoughts even when you are alone. What you say in haste you may regret later. Exert
yourself to restrain your speech.
Worship your god every day. Sacrifice and pious utterance are the proper
accompaniment of incense. Have a freewill offering for your god, for this is proper toward
a god. Prayer, supplication, and prostration offer him daily, then your prayer will be
granted, and you will be in harmony with god.
The fear of God begets favor, offering enriches life, and prayer brings
forgiveness of sins.
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© Site Concept and Design: Paul Halsall, created 26 Jan 1996: latest revision 15 November 2024 [CV]
