The Instructions of Shuruppag

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1In those days, in those far remote days,
2in those nights, in those faraway nights,
3in those years, in those far remote years,
4at that time the wise one who knew how to speak in elaborate words lived in the Land;
5Curuppag, the wise one, who knew how to speak with elaborate words lived in the Land.
6Curuppag, the son of Ubara-Tutu gave instructions to his son Zi-ud-sura:
7My son, let me give you instructions: you should pay attention!
8Zi-ud-sura, let me speak a word to you: you should pay attention!
9Do not neglect my instructions!
10Do not transgress the words I speak!
11The instructions of an old man are precious; you should comply with them!
12You should not buy a donkey which brays; it will split your midriff .
13You should not locate a field on a road; .......
14You should not plough a field at a road or a path; .......
15You should not make a well in your field: people will cause damage on it for you.
16You should not place your house next to a public square: there is always a crowd there.
17You should not vouch for someone: that man will have a hold on you; and you yourself, you should not let somebody vouch for you that man will despise you.
18You should not make an inspection on a man: the flood will give it back to you.
19You should not loiter about where there is a quarrel; you should not let the quarrel make you a witness.
20You should not let yourself ...... in a quarrel. You should not cause a quarrel; ....... ...... the gate of the palace ....... Stand aside from a quarrel, ...... you should not take another road.
21You should not steal anything; you should not ...... yourself.
22You should not break into a house; you should not wish for the money chest . A thief is a lion, but after he has been caught, he will be a slave.
23My son, you should not commit robbery; you should not cut yourself with an axe.
24You should not make a young man best man.
25You should not ...... yourself.
26You should not play around with a married young woman: the slander could be serious. My son, you should not sit alone in a chamber with a married woman.
27You should not pick a quarrel; you should not disgrace yourself.
28You should not speak lies; .......
29You should not boast; then your words will be trusted.
30You should not deliberate for too long ; you cannot bear ...... glances.
31You should not eat stolen food with a thief. You should not sink your hand into blood. After you have apportioned the bones, you will be made to restore the ox, you will be made to restore the sheep.
32You should not speak improperly; later it will lay a trap for you.
33You should not scatter your sheep into unknown pastures.
34You should not hire someone's ox for an uncertain period....... A safe ...... means a safe journey.
35You should not travel during the night: it can hide both good and evil.
36You should not buy an onager: it lasts only until the end of the day.
37You should not have sex with your slave girl: she will chew you up .
38You should not curse strongly: it rebounds on you.
39You should not draw up water which you cannot reach (1 ms. has instead: grasp): it will make you weak.
40You should not drive away a debtor: he will be hostile towards you.
41You should not establish a home with an arrogant man: he will make your life like that of a slave girl. You will not be able to travel through any human dwelling without be being shouted at: "There you go! There you go!"
42You should not undo the ...... of the garden's reed fence; "Restore it! Restore it!" they will say to you.
43You should not deny a stranger with food; you should not hold out a quarrel.
44My son, you should not use violence ; .......
45You should not commit rape on someone's daughter; the courtyard will learn of it.
46You should not drive away a powerful man; you should not destroy the outer wall. You should not drive away a young man; you should not make him turn against the city.
47The eyes of the slanderer always move around as shiftily as a spindle. You should never remain in his presence; his intentions should not be allowed to have an effect on you.
48You should not boast in beer halls like a deceitful man.
49Having reached the field of manhood, you should not jump with your hand. The warrior is unique, he alone is the equal of many; Utu is unique, he alone is the equal of many.
50With your life you should always be on the side of the warrior; with your life you should always be on the side of Utu.