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The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature

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Proverbs: collection 7
Segment A
7.1
1-6. (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
Segment B
7.9
1. 1 line fragmentary
7.10
2. ...... their father does not return.
7.11
3-4. (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.
7.12
5. (cf. 6.1.01.76) A clod thrown into the water is destroyed as it disintegrates.
7.13
6-7. (cf. 6.1.03.82) He moves like a lion against a louse -- but when there is a job is to be done, he
moves like a mongoose.
7.14
8. (cf. 6.1.03.124) The sheep-shearer is himself dressed in dirty rags.
7.15
9-10. (cf. 6.1.03.155) Let me drink beer shandy and sit in the seat of honour!
7.16
11. (cf. 6.1.03.156) Although it was not important to him, he attended the festival.
7.17
12. (cf. 6.1.03.75, 6.2.5: YBC 9912) "I am stretching my legs on your behalf," says the man who
delivers sesame seeds.
7.18
13. 1 line fragmentary 1 line missing
7.21

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15-17. (cf. 6.1.01.88, 6.1.03.157) "If the boat sinks, I will pull out the cargo." When it was all over, what
had you gained? It is still floating: it did not sink.
7.22
18-19. (cf. 6.1.01.167) I visit it by day, I visit it at nightfall. I always stand by the lamentation drum!
7.23
20-23. ...... soldier (?) silences the argument. 3 lines fragmentary
7.24
24. 1 line fragmentary
7.25
25. 1 line fragmentary
7.26
26. ...... that huckster .......
7.27
27. (cf. 6.1.02.d6) Let ...... the head of a suhur fish be eaten ...... with the head of a macguracec fish.
7.28
28-29. (cf. 6.1.01.81) To accept a verdict is possible. To accept a curse is impossible.
7.29
30-32. (cf. 5.4.01: ll. 14-15) Linen is stretched out for the flea. The ...... reed mat is woven for the fly.
The storehouse is built for the gecko.
7.30
33. (cf. 6.1.02.d3) The duck was not eaten in time.
7.31
34. He gathered everything for himself, but had to slaughter his pig.
7.32
35. He gathered everything for himself, but used up his wood.
7.33
36. 1 line fragmentary
7.34
37-39. 1 line fragmentary ...... my burden ...... the basket.
7.35
40. 1 line fragmentary
7.36
41. ...... boat ...... quay .......
7.37
42. (cf. 6.1.01.31) You don't return borrowed bread.
7.38
43-44. ...... prostitute ...... statue .......
7.39
45. 1 line fragmentary

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7.40
46. 1 line missing
(This line may belong to the preceding proverb)
7.41
47. (cf. 6.1.11.21) He spoke, but went back on what he said.
7.42
48. (cf. 6.1.01.89) Like a boat, he always floats up in the water.
7.43
49. (cf. 6.1.03.45, 6.2.1: Ni 9832 Seg. B ll. 6-7) You are forever pushing, like a millstone torn out of its
joint.
7.44
50. He whose speech is humble -- his wife is a slave girl.
7.45
51. (cf. 6.1.03.185) My mouth makes me comparable with other men.
7.46
52. In order to survey (?) the Land, he left his city.
7.47
53-54. (cf. 6.1.01.174) I walk about, I don't get tired. I keep moving, I don't sleep.
7.48
55-56. (cf. 6.1.03.55, 6.1.11.5) As long as you live, you should not increase evil by lying; for if you do,
to succumb will be your lot.
7.49
57-59. (cf. 6.1.01.175) When clothes have been cut up into rags, when the barley has been lying in
the dust, what more is there to be got?
7.50
60. Pouring water ......, placing barley .......
7.51
61. (cf. 6.1.01.100) Whether he ate or not, the seed was good.
7.52
62-63. (cf. 6.1.01.176) I am a lady who wears large garments. Let me cut my loincloth!
7.53
64-65. (cf. 6.1.01.177) You are the master of a broad river. You are eating ....... approx. 23 lines
missing
Segment C
7.70
1-2. (cf. 6.1.02.11) Fate is a dog, well able to bite. It clings like dirty rags.
7.71
3-4. Inana ...... 1 line fragmentary
7.72

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5-7. 1 line unclear

...... something belonging to Inana ...... 1 line fragmentary
7.73
8-10. (cf. 6.1.03.104) The dog moves, the knife moves, but still my man does not move.
7.74
11-12. (cf. 6.1.01.187) The ferryboat ...... too many men: "My man shall not board it!"
7.75
13-14. This oil ...... mourning rags ....... This barley ...... in dust.
7.76
15-16. (cf. 6.1.01.183) My cry of joy ...... by the nether world, but my mental faculties are not thereby
taken away.
7.77
17-19. (cf. 6.1.03.179) He said: "Woe!" and the boat sank with him. He said: “Alas!” and the rudder
broke. The young man said: “Ah god!” and the boat reached its destination.
7.78
20-21. (cf. 6.1.02.d15) Who removed the dust? Who ...... the boat?
7.79
22-23. (cf. 6.1.03.166) The sun never leaves my heart, which surpasses a garden.
7.80
24. (cf. 6.1.03.60) I am a loyal steward, I am a strong pair of hands.
7.81
25-26. (cf. 6.1.02.93, 6.2.3: UET 6/3 31 ll. 5-6) A stranger's ox eats grass while one's own ox lies
hungry.
7.82
27. (cf. 6.1.01.30) That which does not eat food is a wild bull of the mountains. 7 lines missing
7.87
35. 1 line fragmentary
7.88
36-39. "Let me ......, let me ......; let me destroy it" is characteristic of the slave girl of a lukur priestess.
7.89
40-41. (cf. 6.1.02.71) Tell a lie, tell the truth.
7.90
42. (cf. 6.1.03.180) He is working despite his pierced neck.
7.91
43. (cf. 6.1.03.181) He turns things upside down.
7.92
44. (cf. 6.1.03.182) He devours things like locusts do a field.
7.93
45-47. (cf. 6.1.01.155) Conceived by no father, conceived by no mother, the reed came out of the
breast of the storm.
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7.94
48-50. 3 lines fragmentary
7.95
51-52. (cf. 6.1.03.140) A gunida cake was made to taste like honey. The nomad ate it and didn't
recognise what was in it.
7.96
53-54. Don't pile up the poured (?) barley. When it has been carried to your barley and piled up, it will
be eaten by your lord.
7.97
55-56. (cf. 6.1.02.121) The good thing is to find it. The bad thing is to have lost it.
7.98
57-58. (cf. 6.1.02.123) The pleasure -- it is the beer! The discomfort -- it is the journey!
7.99
59-60. (cf. 6.1.03.187) When present, it is considered a loincloth; when lost, it is considered fine
clothing.
7.100
61. (cf. 6.1.03.33) He who says "Let me live today" is bound like a bull on a leash. 3 lines missing
7.104
65-66. (cf. 6.1.01.97, 6.1.11.53) Those who get excited should not become foremen. A shepherd
should not become a farmer.
7.105
67-68. (cf. 6.1.03.183) A free weaver equals two slave girls. A free carter equals three slaves.
7.106
69. Crushed by a stone belonging to my lady.
7.107
70-71. 2 lines fragmentary
7.108
72-73. ...... is mine; ...... raised the ....... 15 lines missing
7.120
89. 1 line fragmentary
7.121
90. (cf. 6.1.01.70) The songs of a city are its omen diviners.
7.122
91-96. We ......; we ......; we ate ......; we drank ......; ...... cover ......; ...... cover .......

Revision history
26.iv.2002: JT, editor: adapting translation
02.x.2002: JAB, editor: proofreading
16.xii.2002: GC, editor: SGML tagging

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