- Tradition
- Akkadian satirical wisdom dialogue, late second millennium BCE. A literary precursor of Qohelet (Ecclesiastes) in mood and argument.
- Translation
- Translation by Benjamin R. Foster, *Before the Muses: An Anthology of Akkadian Literature*, 3rd ed. (Bethesda: CDL Press, 2005), §IV.20 The Dialogue of Pessimism, drawing on the edition in W. G. Lambert, *Babylonian Wisdom Literature* (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1960), pp. 139-149. 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.
- License
- Used under fair-use principles for non-commercial educational and religious commentary. Copyright remains with the publisher.