“But do not abuse this power, deal justly with your servants in the palace, deal justly before the face of the Sun.”

— Epic of Gilgamesh, Tablet VII, tr. Nancy K. Sandars (1960)

About Epic of Gilgamesh

Ancient Mesopotamian epic poem, among the earliest surviving works of literature.

“Cherish the children your love gave life.”

“I will proclaim to the world the deeds of Gilgamesh.”

“This was the man to whom all things were known; this was the king who knew the countries of the world.”

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”

“It is unlikely that the good of a snail should reside in its shell: so is it likely that the good of a man should?”

“In theory there is nothing to hinder our following what we are taught; but in life there are many things to draw us aside.”

“If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches, and poor men's cottages princes' palaces.”

“That which makes the man no worse than he was makes his life no worse: it has no power to harm, without or within.”

“Always take the short cut; and that is the rational one. Therefore say and do everything according to soundest reason.”