"The learned scribe humbly answered his supervisor: "I shall give you a response to what you have just recited like a magic spell, and a rebuttal to your charming ditty delivered in a bellow. Do not make me out to be an ignoramus -- I will answer you once and for all! You opened my eyes like a puppy's and you made me into a human being. But why do you go on outlining rules for me as if I were a shirker? Anyone hearing your words would feel insulted! Whatever you revealed of the scribal art has been repaid to you. You put me in charge of your household and I have never served you by shirking. I have assigned duties to the slave (π΄) girls, slaves and subordinates in your household. I have kept them happy with rations, clothing and oil rations, and I have assigned the order of their duties to them, so that you do not have to follow the slaves around in the house of their master. I do this as soon as I wake up, and I chivvy them around like sheep. When you have ordered offerings to be prepared, I have performed them for you on the appropriate days. I have made the sheep and banquets attractive, so that your god is overjoyed. When the boat of your god arrives, people should greet it with respect. When you have ordered me to the edge of the fields, I have made the men work there. It is challenging work which permits no sleep either at night or in the heat of day, if the cultivators are to do their best at the field-borders. I have restored quality to your fields, so people admire you. Whatever your task for the oxen, I have exceeded it and have fully completed their loads for you. Since my childhood you have scrutinised me and kept an eye on my behaviour, inspecting it like fine silver -- there is no limit to it! Without speaking grandly -- as is your shortcoming -- I serve before you. But those who undervalue themselves are ignored by you -- know that I want to make this clear to you."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Imported from EN Wikiquote
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Sumerian_disputations
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Sumerian disputations
87 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Sumerian disputations β
Related Quotes
"In those ancient days, when the good destinies had been decreed, and after An and Enlil had set up the divine rules oβ¦"
"Enki knit together the marshlands, making young and old reeds grow there; he made birds and fish teem in the pools anβ¦"
"Fish insulted Bird on that day. But Bird, with multicoloured plumage and multicoloured face, was convinced of its ownβ¦"
"Your words are sterling words, such as delight the heart."
"Father Enki be praised!"
"Like Enki, king of the abzu, I am successful in finding solutions, and am wise in words."
"To strut about in the E-kur is a glory for Bird, as its singing is sweet. β¦ It shall utter its cries in the temple ofβ¦"
"How has your heart become so arrogant, while you yourself are so lowly? β¦ In the great marshes and the wide lagoons, β¦"
"Strutting about in the royal palace is my glory."
"All full of lies."