“The elder brother is indeed like a father; the elder sister is indeed like a mother.”

— Instructions of Shuruppak, The Instructions of Shuruppak

About Instructions of Shuruppak

Ancient Sumerian wisdom text from the third millennium BCE, among the oldest surviving works of advice literature.

“A loving heart maintains a family; a hateful heart destroys a family.”

“The instructions of an old man are precious.”

“Nothing at all is to be valued, but life should be sweet. You should not serve things; things should serve you.”

“A Father is a Treasure, a Brother a Comfort ; but a Friend is both.”

“Thou canst not joke an Enemy into a Friend; but thou may'st a Friend into an Enemy.”

“The best friend will probably get the best wife, because a good marriage is founded on the talent for friendship.”

“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.”

“While both are dear, piety requires us to honor truth above our friends.”