Wider Ancient Witness Archive · 4.1 Ancient Near Eastern Wisdom Background Archive
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Akkadian Proverbs
This text is included as a comparative, historical, philosophical, ritual, textual, or fragmentary witness. It is not presented as part of the Restored Bible.
Akkadian Proverbs
[A selection from the Akkadian proverb collections and sayings.]
Do not return evil to your adversary; requite with good the one who does you harm.
The life of yesterday passes by every day.
Whoever waits on the favor of his god lacks nothing.
Friendship is for the day of trouble; offspring for the days to come.
Will the river bring you water if you do not dig the channel?
You go and take the field of your enemy; the enemy comes and takes your field.
He who eats too much will lie down sick.
A house built by the strength of injustice does not endure.
When you see the profit in reverence for the god, praise the god and bless the king.
Pay attention to the word of your mother as to the word of your god.
My knees keep moving, my feet are tireless; yet a fool full of grief runs ahead of me.
The one who is patient — his reward comes; the one who is hasty stumbles.