The Instructions of Shuruppak (Sumerian)

This is an ancient Sumerian wisdom text, an instruction poem attributed to a figure named Shuruppak, offering moral precepts and practical advice. It is considered one of the oldest surviving literary works and a significant example of early Mesopotamian didactic literature.

Sources for The Instructions of Shuruppak (Sumerian)

• Read the full text
• https://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=t.5.6.1
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instructions_of_Shuruppak

The Instructions of Shuruppak (Sumerian) in Wisdom Literature

Held in the Wisdom Literature chamber of the Babel Nexus Index.

• Maxims of Ptahhotep (Egyptian) (−2400)
• Instructions of Amenemhat (Egyptian) (−1900)
• Disputations or Literary Debates (Sumerian) (−2000)
• The Poem of the Righteous Sufferer (Ludlul bēl nēmeqi, Babylonian) (−1300)
• The Story of Aḥikar (Aramaic) (−500)
• Counsels of Wisdom (Babylonian) (−1000)
• Dialogue of Pessimism (Babylonian — "Nothing Is Of Value") (−1000)
• Instructions of Šūpê-amēli (Akkadian) (−1100)
• Instructions of Kagemni (Egyptian) (−2300)
• Nig-Nam Nu-Kal — "Nothing is of Value" (Sumerian) (−2000)
• Maxims of Ali ibn Abi Talib (c. 660)