The Counsels of Wisdom
Translation by Benjamin R. Foster, *Before the Muses: An Anthology of Akkadian Literature*, 3rd ed. (Bethesda: CDL Press, 2005), §III.16(a) Counsels of Wisdom, drawing on the edition in W. G. Lambert, *Babylonian Wisdom Literature* (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1960), pp. 96-107. Substantial selection from Foster's translation; see source edition for complete text. Used under fair-use principles for non-commercial educational and religious commentary; copyright remains with the publishers. · Used under fair-use principles for non-commercial educational and religious commentary. Copyright remains with the publisher.
1A learned man | | (1?)
2From [his] wisdom | |:
3"Come, my son,
4“(Pay heed to] the instruction that [I give you],
5"Master the counsels [ |...”
6Don't stop to talk with a frivolous person,”
7go consult with a[ ] who has nothing to do.
8With good intentions you will do their thinking for them,
9You will diminish your own accomplishment, abandon your own course,
10You will play false to your own, wiser, thinking.
11Hold your tongue, watch what you say.
12A man’s pride: the great value on your lips.
13Insolence and insult should be abhorrent to you.
14Speak nothing slanderous, no untrue report.
15The frivolous person is of no account.
16Don’t go stand where there’s a crowd,
17Do not linger where there is a dispute.
18They will bring evil upon you in the dispute,”
19Then you will be made their witness,
20They will bring you to bolster a case not your own.
21When confronted with a dispute, avoid it, pay no heed.
22If it is a dispute with you, put out the flame,
23A dispute is a wide-open ambush,
24a wall of sticks that smothers its opponents,'
25It brings to mind what a man forgot and charges him.
26Do no evil to the man who disputes with you,
27Requite with good the one who does evil to you.
28Be fair to your enemy,
29Let your mood be cheerful to your opponent.
30Be it your ill-wisher, tre[at him generous]ly.*
31Make up your mind to no evil,
32Suc[h is not] acceptable [to the] gods,
33Evil [ ] is abhorrent to [ ] to Marduk.
34[ ] the lowly, take pity on him.
35Do not despise the miserable and [ |,
36Do not wrinkle up your nose haughtily at them.
37One’s god will be angry with him for that,
38It is displeasing to Shamash, he will requite him with evil.
39Give food to eat, beer to drink,
40Present what is asked for, provide for and honor.
41One’s god will be happy with him for that,
42It is pleasing to Shamash, he will requite him with favor.
43Do good deeds and be helpful all the days of your life.
44You must not make a slave girl important in your house,
45She must not rule your bedroom like a wife
46Let your people have this to tell you:
47“The household that a slave girl rules, she will break up.”
48Don’t marry a prostitute, whose husbands are legion, a temple harlot, who 1s dedicated to a deity,
49a courtesan, whose intimates are numerous.
50She will not sustain you in your time of trouble,
511. Literally: “a brushwood defense that overwhelms its foes” (restored on the basis of an unpublished duplicate cited CAD A/1, 63a). “Brush” or “tinder” (abu) was used in similes for quick consumption by fire, as in IV.2c. A dispute is broad enough for anyone to fall into and containing and inflammable enough that both parties will be consumed in the conflagration. Hence the initial exhortation to "put out the fire" acquires special significance.
52She will snigger at you
53when you are embroiled in controversy.
54She has neither respect nor obedience in her nature.
55Even 1f she has the run of your house, get rid of her,
56She has her ears attuned for another's footfall.
57The man who married her will not have a stable home life.
58son, should it be the prince's will that you serve him,
59His closely guarded seal should hang (around your neck).
60Open his vault and go 1n, for there 1s none but you (should do so).
61You may find countless treasures therein,
62You must not covet any of it,
63You must not set your mind on stealth.
64Later the matter will be [brought out],”
65And the stealth you attempted will be ex[posed].
66When the prince hears, he will [ ],
67His beaming countenance will [darken].
68As for you, you will have an explanation [to devise] ...
69Do not backbite, speak fair words.
70Do not speak of evil things,
71Think of something good to say.
72As for the backbiter and the speaker of evil,
73They will be forced to settle their accounts with Shamash.
74Do not speak lightly, guard your speech.
75Do not speak your innermost thoughts, (even) when alone.
76What you say on the spur of the moment
77you will still have with you later,
7850 set your mind on restraining your speech.
79Bless your god every day,
80Sacrifice and prayer are meet with incense.
81You should give freewill offerings to your god,
82For this is meet for a deity.
83Prayer, supplication, and genuflection:
84For every grain you render,* your profit will be a talent,’
85So you will proceed at a premium with your god.
86Since you are accomplished, read this text:
87“And prayer atones for guilt.
88“He who reverences the gods is despised by [no one],
89“He who favors the Anunna-gods prolongs [his days].
90(fragmentary lines, then gap)
91* Notes to Text: (21) Groneberg, N.A.B.U. 1997/68 argues that namútu implies boisterous shocking behavior and cross-dressing, but I maintain a more general translation here. (33) von Soden,