Mesoptamian Proverbs
Assyrian Proverbs
There is no shame in not knowing the shame lies in not finding out.
A mere friend will agree with you, but a real friend will argue.
The hammer shatters glass but forges steel.
Gossip needs no carriage.
The tallest blade of grass is the first to be cut by the scythe.
You can not write in the chimney with charcoal.
If you were born lucky, even your rooster will lay eggs.
Tell me your friends, and I’ll tell you who you are.
Life is unbearable, but death is not so pleasant either.
If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.
The rich would have to eat money if the poor did not provide food.
He who doesn't risk never gets to drink wine.
Love and eggs are best when they are fresh.
Ask a lot, but take what is offered.
Fear the goat from the front, the horse from the rear and man from all sides.
Babylonian Proverbs
An infection without a doctor is like hunger without food.
A hostile act you shall not perform, that fear of vengeance shall not consume you.
Writing is the mother of eloquence and the father of artists.
If you go and take the field of an enemy, the enemy will come and take your field.
He is altogether good, but he is clothed with darkness.
If I do more than is expected, who will repay me?
The strong live by their own wages; the weak by the wages of their children.
Be gentle to your enemy as to an old oven.
Upon a glad heart oil is poured out of which no one knows.
If the husk is not right, the kernel is not right, it will not produce seed.
If I put anything down it is snatched away.
Friendship is for the day of trouble, posterity for the future.
Sumerian Proverbs
Whoever has walked with truth generates life.
A troubled mind makes you sick.
The poor man chews whatever he is given.
Wealth is hard to come by, but poverty is always at hand.
A dog which is played with turns into a puppy.
The honest man will earn his pay.
When righteousness is cut off, injustice is increased.
Good fortune calls for organisation and wisdom.
He who knows how to move around . . . will live longer than the sedentary man.
Talking endlessly is what humankind has most on its mind.
To eat is good. When it comes up again, it is bad.
Nine wolves having caught ten sheep, there was one too many and they did not know how to share out the portions. A fox came along and said: "Let me allocate the portions for you! The nine of you take one sheep. I by myself shall take nine -- this shall be my share!
As long as you live you should not increase evil by telling lies.
The palace is a slippery place which catches those who do not know it.
After becoming a thief, one becomes an outcast.
A heart never created hatred; speech created hatred.
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.
A disgraced merchant becomes a con-man.
To be sick is acceptable; to be pregnant is painful; but to be pregnant and sick is just too much.
Life is largely better than death.
How lowly is the poor man!
A mill (for him) (is) the edge of the oven;
His ripped garment will not be mended;
What he has lost will not be sought for!
The mother who has given birth to eight young men lies down exhausted.
Ignoramuses are numerous in the palace.
Strength cannot keep pace with intelligence.
He who walks with truth brings life.
He who carries a light burden can dance.
The shepherd cannot increase his flock where the wolf takes sheep.
When present, it was considered a loincloth; when lost, it is considered fine clothing.
Let the favour be repaid to him who repays a favour.
He who insults is insulted. He who sneers is sneered at.
A malicious wife living in the house is worse than all diseases.
Accept your lot and make your mother happy.
Give me my tools and I will launch my boat.
The dog understands: "Take it!" It does not understand: Put it down!
Marry according to your choice. Have children to your heart's content.
Hand added to hand, and a man's house is built up.
Stomach added to stomach, and a man's house is destroyed.
A good word is a friend to numerous men.
He who eats too much cannot sleep.
What comes from the heart is known by the heart.
A loving heart builds houses. A hating heart destroys houses.
If the foreman does not know how to assign the work, his workers will not stop shaking their heads.
In an open mouth, a fly enters.
In the city of the lame, the cripple is a messenger.
The poor man must always look to his next meal.
Possessions make trust of crucial importance.
Keep your feet on the ground!
When the lion caught a wild boar, he roared: "Your flesh has not yet filled my mouth, but your squeals have deafened my ears!"
There is no baked cake in the middle of the dough.
The house built by the upright man is destroyed by the treacherous man.
Don't pick things ahead of time; some bear fruit later.
Friendship lasts a day, family lasts forever.
In the city with no dogs, the fox is boss.
A slave entrusted with a burial will be negligent.
