“Gaze on the child who holds your hand, let your wife enjoy your repeated embrace!”

— Epic of Gilgamesh, Sippar tablet, tr. Andrew R. George (2000), Siduri to Gilgamesh

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.”

“Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments.”

“Go where he will, the wise man is at home, his hearth the earth, his hall the azure dome.”

“Fathers should be neither seen nor heard. That is the only proper basis for family life.”

“Mature manhood: that means to have rediscovered the seriousness one had as a child at play.”

“The Tao is called the Great Mother: empty yet inexhaustible, it gives birth to infinite worlds.”

“Distrust and caution are the parents of security.”