Wider Ancient Witness Archive · 4.1 Ancient Near Eastern Wisdom Background Archive
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The Instructions of Shuruppak
This text is included as a comparative, historical, philosophical, ritual, textual, or fragmentary witness. It is not presented as part of the Restored Bible.
The Instructions of Shuruppak
[A Sumerian father’s instruction to his son, said to be among the oldest of wisdom writings.]
Shuruppak gave instruction to his son; Shuruppak, the son of Ubara-Tutu, gave instruction to his son Ziusudra: My son, let me instruct you; take my instruction, and do not neglect my word.
Do not buy a field on the road that the powerful travel.
Do not place your house next to a public square; there is always a crowd there.
Do not vouch for someone; that man will have a hold over you.
Do not steal anything; do not kill yourself by breaking in.
Do not speak improperly; in the end it will catch you like a trap.
Do not boast; then your words will be trusted.
Do not pour out your heart to your wife; guard your own counsel.
A loving heart builds a house; a hating heart destroys a house.
The one who works the land lives in plenty.
Give food to eat, give beer to drink;
honor what is asked of you, and provide what is needed.
By this a man pleases the gods, and the palace is well disposed to him.
My son, do not sit alone in the assembly; do not wander where there is a quarrel. The eye of the slanderer is evil. Fate is a wet bank; it can make a man slip. The gift of the gods is wisdom; revere them, and you will prosper. [Line damaged]
[Fragment breaks here]