HIST 1500-005

Sumerian & Egyptian Wisdom Texts

A Comparison
Laurie Berceau 9/19/2013

A fool and his money are soon parted. Go west young man! Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death. An unfaithful penis matches an unfaithful vagina. Neither a borrower or a lender be. Whether declared by a Shakespearean father, Horace Greely, a Sumerian elder, or Graham Greenes Auntie Mame, oft repeated adages are meant to advise and instruct the young and inexperienced members of a culture. The wisdom of previous generations seems to share many similarities and some intriguing differences. As such, I chose to compare and contrast the wisdom texts, proverbs and sayings of the Sumerian and Egyptian cultures, as the subject of this essay. Some of these texts are identified by author as; The Maxims of Ptahhetep and The Instructions of Suruppag. Others are written as proverbs, instructions, songs and poems. The Egyptian and Sumerian cultures were literate in the sense of having a specific caste, the scribes, whose role was to communicate the business of commerce, describe the structure of religious rituals and record praise of the all powerful rulers. The common people did not read or write, but had their own trove of stories, legends and proverbs that were also written down to inform future generations. Both of these cultures placed an emphasis on listening, rather than debating with ones elders or social superiors. The path to wisdom for a young person (usually a male) lay in holding thy tongue and be not the chatterer. Respect and humility were valued and should be given to all, even those of lesser social ranking. Weather living in a palace, village or urban neighborhood, a youth was admonished against arguing and speaking words in anger. People lived in close contact with each other and social harmony was greatly valued. The texts contained numerous warnings against drunkenness in general and specifically drunken gossiping in taverns as the path to ruin. Arguing with fools was also a waste of time and could be perilous, as to speak wisdom to a fool is to be hated. Hard work and diligence was the path to
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prosperity along with proper devotion to the gods from whom blessings and abundance flow. Greed was seen as evil and could result in bad fortune, to be wealthy and demand more is an abomination to a god. Familial relationships and the good reputation of the family was all important. Children were a reflection of their family and they were instructed to respect, honor and obey all older family members, especially the parents. I was somewhat surprised to learn that respect towards mothers was as valued as toward the fathers in these ancient patriarchal societies. A young man was told not to be the cause of suffering to his mother, as she had put on the yoke of bearing and raising him. It was vital that children honor and respect their parents as it fell to them to maintain offerings and religious devotions for their parents after death, and beyond into the afterlife. Marriage and the virtues of family life were extolled, but the realities of sexual relationships with slave girls, prostitutes and strange women were also commented on. Warnings included beware the mouth that drips honey and slave girls can chew you up. It was interesting to read several strongly worded admonitions against providing sureties for loans and vouching for anothers character. Apparently bad judgment and betrayal are ubiquitous. In contrast, the Sumerian and Egyptian proverbs exhibit a differing style and level of sophistication. Sumerian writings are more concrete and repetitive, while the Egyptian writers are more lyrical and allegorical. I found the Sumerian sayings to be blunt, earthy and often hilarious. These tend to address the more everyday, practical concerns of an average Mesopotamian lad. How to buy the right donkey, plant a field or choose a wife. I think the Sumerians reflect a more cynical view of human behavior than do the Egyptians. Observations range from the perfidy of merchants to the disloyalty of workers who will desert you once they have eaten all your bread. In choosing a wife the wise young man should not be beguiled by gold diggers at festivals dressed in borrowed finery. Even purchasing a slave girl leaves one open to
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disappointment, because if you buy one from the palace you are sure to get the bottom of the barrel. Sumerian proverbs abound with examples of animals boasting and declarations to, and about, ones body parts. The anus is a particular favorite. In respect of both expenditures and capital goods, the anus is well supplied. The dog gnawing on a bone says to his anus: This is going to hurt you! Bitterness afflicted the anus; but it entered by way of the mouth. The Egyptian maxims are notably lacking the emphasis on bodily parts. Their instructions are more descriptive and positive action oriented. A youth did not just have a duty to care for his wife, but was urged to make her happy. Satisfy her wishes, embrace her lovinglyand she will stay with you. Instructing a young man on how to care for his mother, the Egyptian sage touches on the essence of what a mother is. She placed a burden on herself . and suckled you for three years she brought bread and beer to you at school every day. If a mother suffers because of her son she may lift her hands and complain to God. God would hear the cry of the mother and punish him. In the Egyptian texts religion is intertwined into every aspect of their lives and this is apparent repeatedly in their admonitions. Devote thyself to the adoration of the Gods name. God giveth souls to millions of forms, and he magnifieth the man who magnifies him. The influence of both cultures shows in the writings of the ancient Hebrew Bible. Ecclesiastes states that one generation is like another, nothing new under the sun, which paraphrases sayings from Egypt and Sumer. But I think the Bible most clearly reflects the richness of prose from the Egyptian texts, as well as the form and structure. Gods grandeur is beyond understanding. One generation praises your deeds to the next and proclaims your mighty works, from the Book of Psalms. An Egyptian sage, Amen-em-ope, is directly referenced as inspiring the Book of Proverbs.

In conclusion, I found the study of the wisdom texts from these two ancient cultures to be compelling, fascinating and relevant to our modern society. In fact, these wisdom texts are a part of our own cultural heritage. From the earthy Sumerians and the devout and philosophical Egyptians, echoes sound from the Hebrew Bible, through the New Testament, into the knowledge base of the Western European tradition. How alike we are in our own need to pass on the knowledge of our experiences to our young people and the generations which follow. Through them we live. My favorite proverb comes from the Egyptians and, according to the translation summary, sums up the basic view of Egyptians throughout the ages to Follow after the days of happiness and banish care.