Aramaic Proverbs: The Words of Ahiqar

The Narrative

Introduction

[These are the wor]ds of one Ahiqar, a wise and skillful scribe, which he taught his son. N[ow he did not have offspring of his own, but] he said, “I shall nevertheless have a son!” Prior to this, Ahiqar had [become a gre] at man; he had [become counselor of all Assyria and ke]eper of the seal of Sennacherib, king of Assy[ria. He used to say, “I] may not have any sons but Sennacherib, king of Assyria, relies [on my counsel] and advice.”

Death of Sennacherib. Ahiqar Trains His Nephew to Succeed Him

A[t that time Senna]cherib, k[ing of Assyria, died, and] his son Esarhaddon [arose] and became king in Assyria in pla[ce of his fa]ther [Sennacherib]. T[hen I said (to myself), “I am] growing old,” [So I] se[nt] for [my] nep[hew, so that he might succeed me at] my death [and become scribe and keeper of the se]al for [King] Es[arhaddon just as I was for Sennacherib, king] of Assyria. Then I [adopted Nadin, my] ne[phew, as my son. I reared him and trained him] and taught him wisdom. And I was generous to him and i[nstalled him in the] palace [ga]te with [me before the king in the midst of] his courtiers.

Nadin Is Presented to Esarhaddon

I brought him before Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, and the k[ing questioned him] concerning wisdom, [and he told him every]thing he asked. Then Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, gave him his approval and said (to me), “May your life [be prolonged], O wise [s]cribe, counselor of all Assyria, who raised up his [neph]ew to be his son, since [he had] no son of his own.” [When the king of Assy]ria [said this], I, Ahiqar, bowed low in obeisance to Esarh[addon, king of] Assyria.

Nadin Succeeds Ahiqar at the Court

[Some time later, when I, A]hiqar, saw that Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, was favorably disposed, I addressed [the king and said], “I [served] your father. King [Sennach]erib, [wh]o ruled [before you] [ . . . . . . ] [Now] I am growing old. I can no longer perform my duties in the palace gate [or continue my service to you.] But my son Nadin has grown up. Let him succeed me as scribe [and counselor of all Assyria], and let him be [kee]per of the seal for you! For [I have taught him] my wisdom and co[unsel.” Esarhaddon, ki]ng of Assyria, replied to me, “Very well, [your son] shall [be scribe and counselor and keeper of the seal for me] in your place. He shall do your work [for me.” Now when I, Ahiqar, heard him prom]ise [this], I went back home [and went into retirement there,]

The Treachery Of Nadin

[And as for this son of mine, whom] I [had reared] and installed in the palace gate [before Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, in the midst of hi]s [courtiers], I thought, “He will promo[te my] welfare, [ just as I did his.” (But) then my nep]hew, whom I reared, devised [a wicked] plot against [me and thought to himself], “[This is what] I can s[ay (to the king): ‘This old Ahiqar, who was keeper of the seal] for your father, King Sennache[ri]b, [is subverting the land against you, for] he is a wise [counselor and scribe], on whose counsel and ad[vice all Assyria used to rely.’ Then], when [Esarhaddon] hears [my report], he will be greatly enraged, [and will order Ahiqar killed.” So] when this false son of mine had devised [this lie against me, . . . ]

Ahiqar Is Placed Under Death Sentence

[Then Es]arhaddon, king of Assyria, [flew into a rage], and said, [“Bring me Nabusumiskun, on]e of my father’s officers, who [was] on his staff.” [(Then) the king said (to Nabusumiskun)], “Seek [Ahiqar] out, (and) wherever you find (him), [kill him!] Otherwise that old [Ah]iqa[r]—wise scribe [and counselor of all Assy]ria that he was—is liable to subvert the land against us.” When [the king of A]ssyria [had said this], he appointed two other men with him to observe how [(the execution) should be carried out]. (Then) officer [Nab]usumiskun rode [away] on a swif[t h] orse, accompanied by [those men].

Ahiqar Is Found and Hears of Nadin’s Treachery

After three d[a]ys had gone by, [he and the o]ther [men] accompanying him c[aught sight of me] as I was walking along among the vineyards. [As soon as] officer [Nab]usumiskun saw me, he tore his cloak and lamented: [“Is it you], O wise scribe and master of good counsel, who [used to be a righteous] man, [and o] n whose counsel and advice all Assyria used to rely? [Your son whom you rear]ed, whom you installed in the palace gate, has denounced you. He has ruined you, and turn[ed on you wickedly.”]

Ahiqar Asks to Be Spared

[Suddenly I, Ahiqar, was afraid, and I answered [officer] Nabusum[iskun, “Indeed], I am the same Ahiqar who once long ago rescued you from an undeserved death, [when] King Esarhaddon’s father [Sennacherib] was so angry with you [that he sought to kill you.] I took you [direc]tly to my own house and provided for you there, as a man would care for his own brother. I concealed you from him, saying, ‘I have killed him,’ until an oppor[tune ti]me. Then, after a long time, I presented you to King Sennacherib and cleared you of the charges against you in his presence, so that he did you no ha[rm]. Indeed, King Sennacherib was grateful to me for having kept you alive rather than killing you. Now it is your turn to treat me as I treated you. Do not kill me, (but) take me to your house un[til] the times change. King Esarhaddon is known to be a merciful man. He will eventually think of me and wish for my counsel. Th[en] you [brjing me to him and he will let me live.”

Nabusumiskun Agrees, and a Ruse Is Contrived

Then officer Nabusumiskun [re]plied to me, “Have no fear, my [lor]d Ahiqar, father of all Assyria, on whose counsel King Sennacherib and [all] the Assyrian army [used to rely]!” At once officer Nabusumiskun said to his companions, those two men who were accompanying him, [“List]en! Co[me near] to me and I will tell you [my] plan, and a [very] good plan it is.” Th[en] those two [men] replied to hi[m, “You t]ell us, officer Nabusumiskun, what [yo]u th[ink, and we will obey] you.” Then [of]ficer [Nabusumiskun] said [in reply] to them, “Listen to me: This [Ahi]qar was a great man. He was [King] Esarhaddon’s [keeper of the se]al, and all the [Assyr]ian army used to rely on his counsel and advice. Far be it from us to kill him! [There is a] eunuch-[slave] of mine. Let him be killed between [the]se two mountains in place of this Ahiqar. Whe[n it is reported], the king will [se]nd other [m]en [af]ter us to see the body of this Ahiqar. Then [they will see the body] of [th]is eunuch-slave of mine (and that will be the end of the matter) until eventually [King] Esarhaddon [thinks of Ahiqar and wishes for his counsel, and grieves] over him. (Then) [King] Esarhaddo[n]’s thoughts [will turn to me, and he will say to his officers and courtiers], ‘I would give you riches as num[erous as grains of sand, if only you could find Ahiqar.’” Now this plan] seemed good to his t[wo] companions. [They replied to officer Nabusumiskun], “Do as you suggest. [Let us not kill him, but you give us] that eunuch-[slave] in place of [this] Ahiqar. [He shall be killed between these two mountains.”]

Ahiqar Is Hidden and the King Is Deceived

At that time word spread through the la[nd of Assyria that Ahiqar,] King [Esarhaddon’s scribe,] had been put to death. Then [officer] Nabus[umiskun took me to his house and hid me. Indeed,] he provided for me there as [a man would care for his own brother. And he said to me. . . . “Bread and water] will be provided to my lord. I[f . . . . . . . . . ” He gave me] plenty of food and abun[dant] supplies. [Then officer Nabusumiskun] went to Ki[ng] Esarhaddon [and said, “I have done as you commanded me.] I went and found [that] Ahiqar [and put him to death.” Now when King Esarhaddon heard this,] he questioned the t[wo] men [whom he had appointed along with Nabusumiskun. And they said, “It happened just as] he said.” T[he]n, while [King] Esarha[ddon . . . . . . . . . ]

The Sayings

What is stronger than a braying ass? . . .

The son who is instructed and restrained, and on whose foot the bar is placed, [will prosper in life].

Spare not your son from the rod; otherwise, can you save him [from wickedness]?

He who acquires a runaway slave or a thievish maid [ . . . . . . . . . and ruins] the reputation of his father and his progeny by his own corrupt reputation.

The scorpion [finds] bread and will not eat it; but (if he finds) something foul, he is more pleased than if he were (sumptuously) fed.

. . . . . . . . hind . . . . . . . .

The lion catches the scent of the stag in his hidden den, and he . . . . . . and sheds its blood and eats its flesh. Just so is the meeting of [men]. . . . [T]he lion . . . The ass abandons his load and will not carry it. He will be shamed by his fellow and will have to carry a burden which is not his own; he will be laden with a camel’s load.

The ass mounts the jenny out of lust for her. But the birds . . . .

[My son, do not utter everything] which comes into your mind, for there are eyes and ears everywhere. But keep watch over your mouth, lest it bring you to grief!

Above all else, guard your mouth; and as for what you have h[eard], be discreet! For a word is a bird, and he who releases it is a fool.

Ch[oo]se the sayings you shall utter, then speak them [to] your [brother] to help him. For the treachery of the mouth is more dangerous than the treachery of battle.

A king’s word is gentle, but keener and more cutting than a double-edged dagger.

Here is a difficult thing before you: Do not stand opposed to the king. His anger is swifter than lightning; look out for yourself! Let him not kindle it against your words, lest you depart before your time.

When a royal command is given you, it is a burning fire. Execute it at once, lest it flare up against you and singe your hands. But rather (let) the king’s command (be your) heart’s delight.

The k[ing]’s tongue is gentle, but it breaks a dragon’s ribs. It is like death, which is invisible.

The lion approached to gre[et the ass]: “Peace be unto you!” The ass replied to the lion, . . .

A sword stirs up quiet waters between good neighbors.

If a young man utter great words, they will soar above him when his utterance exalts the gods. If he is beloved of the gods, they will give him something worthwhile to say.

The [s]tar[s in the sky] are so numerous [that] no one knows their names. Just so, no one knows man.

(Once upon a time) a leopard came upon a she-goat who was cold. The leopard said to the goat, “Won’t you let me cover you with my pelt?” The goat replied to the leopard, “Why should I do that, my lord? Don’t take my own hide away from me! For (as they say), ‘A [leopard] does not greet a gazelle except to suck its blood.’”

(Once upon a time) a bear came to the lambs and [said, “Let me take just one of you and] I will be content.” The lambs replied to him, “Take whichever of us you will. We [are only sheep, but you are a bear!] For it is not in men’s own power to lift their feet or set them down apart fro[m the gods . . . .”]

(Variant ending:) “For it is not in your power to lift your foot or set it down.”