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Proverbs: of unknown provenance (Q000825)
Literary, Old Babylonian, Nippur · c. 1900 BCE–1600 BCE
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| Designation | Proverbs: of unknown provenance |
|---|---|
| ID | Q000825 |
| Language | Sumerian |
| Period | Old Babylonian · c. 1900 BCE–1600 BCE |
| Genre | Literary |
| Find spot | Nippur |
| Coordinates | 32.1271, 45.2300 |
Transliteration (ATF)
From Open Richly Annotated Cuneiform Corpus (ORACC) · CC BY-SA 3.0 (ORACC default); per-file JSON license fields say: This data is released under the CC0 license (133618)
Machine draft. The right-hand column is machine English from ixmon/atf-to-english (atf-en-t5base-F, 2026-10-17), generated line by line from the transliteration. It is unreviewed and is not a scholarly translation.
| Line | ATF | Machine English (draft) |
|---|---|---|
| Ver.1, Seg.A, | ||
| 1 | x X X ZI | ...; |
| 2 | x X-am₃ | ... |
| 3 | x-am₃ | ... |
| 4 | x lu₂ X X-a-kam | ... of ... |
| 5 | x IG-bi x ki | its door ... |
| 6 | x X X X x X | |
| 7 | kug tuku šag₄ an-hul₂ še tuku ur₅ an-sag₉ | possessing silver, rejoicing over the land, possessing awe-inspiring aura |
| 8 | niŋ₂-ur₂-limmu₂ tuku-e u₃ nu-un-da-ku-ku | The one who trusts in you will not sleep. |
| 9 | ur-saŋ dili na-nam dili-na lu₂ šar₂-ra-am₃ | The hero is indeed a single man, he alone is a king |
| 10 | x UD ba-X | ...; |
| 11 | x EN is-hab₂-ba X x | ... destroyed ... |
| Ver.1, Seg.B, | ||
| 1 | x X HA GU-bi AN x | ... ... |
| 2 | x X a-a ba-an-ed₃-de₃-de₃-en | ... we will go to the father. |
| 3 | um{mušen} gu₃ de₂ nu-sag₉ | The ummuš-bird does not roar |
| 4 | x X an-na ku₆-da engur-ra HAR-da mul-am₃ | ... of heaven, fish in the deep, it is a star. |
| 5 | ud šu₂-šu₂-ru X šag₄ hul₂-la e₂-gal-la-kam | It is a storm, a joyful ... of the palace |
| 6 | x x X geme₂-a-kam | ... of Gemea. |
| 7 | nu-mu-un-na-kal geme₂ X-ra-kam | she does not eat, it is a female slave ... |
| 8 | gi₄-in-gi₄-in-ne balaŋ ba-ra-an-e₃-eš | The maidservants did not return to their bala |
| 9 | ga-ša-an-an-na e-duru₂-še₃ tuš-tuš | Gašanana, sit in the living quarters |
| 10 | x X a šu na₄ an-na-kur₉ | ... stone ... |
| 11 | geme₂ niŋ₂ hi-li-a-ke₄ {d}iškur diŋir lugal LIL₂-e | The female worker, whose aura is pure Iškur, the mighty king, |
| 12 | ukuš₂-gin₇ ki dug₃ hu-mu-dar-e-še | Like a snake, may he make the earth tremble |
| Ver.2, Seg.A, | ||
| 1 | {ŋiš}ma₂ dilmun-na tum₉ nu-mir ba-an-da-su | The boat of Dilmun was carried away in a false sleep. |
| 2 | ŋiš mah a-zu šu NE li-bi₂-TAG | Exalted one, physician, hand of ... |
| 3 | ki-nu₂ dug₃-ga-zu u₃-sa₂ nu-mu-ni-nu | Your comfortable bed does not sleep. |
| 4 | id₂ a mah a mi-ni-ib₂-de₂-a-zu | Your river, where great water flows, |
| 5 | bar-ra-ŋu₁₀ nu-mu-sed₅ | Barrabu is not cool. |
| 6 | uš₁₁-ŋu₁₀ nu-mu-ni-til | he did not finish the battle |
| 7 | IM DU-da-za še nu-mu-ni-in-la₂ | Your ... did not carry barley |
| 8 | izi-ŋar-zu-ta {gi}šu-bil-la₂-ŋu₁₀ šu bar zid li-bi₂-ak | By means of your fire a reed mat should be fashioned. |
| 9 | gan GUG-GUG du-bu-ul-la ab-naŋ-a saŋ-ki nu-ut-tu-tu-ud-du-bi | The gan, gUGGUG, and dubbulla, the saŋki, which did not give birth to a child, |
| 10 | ha-la-zu gan tur šu te ba-ab-HI-za niŋ₂-bi-a GUG-a-bi-e-še | Your share is a small farmer's field, how is it that you are taken away by yourself? |
| 11 | x X X IN MU ma-an-ra | ... no one |
| 12 | x X X mu-na-gi-e-še | ... to him. |
| 13 | x NE-NE X | ...; |
| Ver.2, Seg.B, | ||
| 1 | x X X lu₂-dim₃-ma ugu-ŋa₂ di mu-un-dug₄-dug₄-e-še | ... the builder is adjured. |
| 2 | hi-iz-ur-bar-ra{sar} ŋeštin-ka₅-a{sar}-ke₄ {u₂}ug {u₂}piriŋ-GI | ḫišurbara-plant (and) tinkānu-plant, a plant of pirî-plant |
| 3 | {u₂}eme-ur-gir₁₅-ra-ke₄ {u₂}niŋ₂-u₂-rum {u₂}gu₃-i₃-ra-ke₄ | The emurgira plant, the nībum plant and the guira plant |
| 4 | ur-mah gu₃ de₂-de₂ | roaring lion |
| 5 | mu li-bi₂-in-tuku-e-še | because he did not have |
| 6 | ŋiš-šub lu₂-dim₃-ma {d}utu al-dim₂-e | It is an incantation that a builder, Šamaš, builds |
| 7 | ur-saŋ-e šag₄-ŋar-ta i₃-gam | The hero has taken it from the šagbara |
| 8 | ba-an-gam-ma-ta ki-sig₁₀-ga in-na-ab-du-du-ne | After they have been carried off, they will dig a hole for him. |
| Ver.3, | ||
| 1 | X X IM A IGI DU GA | first appearance ... |
| 2 | X X IGI A X X degₓ(RI)-ga-še₃ | ... towards ... |
| 3 | X X X BA NE-NE X | ... ... |
| 4 | X X IM MA nu-me nu-x | ... is not ... |
| 5 | x X ZA šag₄ x | ... ... |
| 6 | x X BA lul x | ... false |
| 7 | x ki šag₄ iri MUNUS x x | ... of the city |
| 8 | x | |
| 9 | x BA DA x | ... ... |
| 10 | GI x | reed |
| 11 | TU x-e-še | ..., ... |
| 12 | x GIR₂ x-un-du₃ | ... was built. |
| 13 | lu₂ lu₂ IN X | A man ... |
| 14 | x x lu₂ he₂-x x X | ... the man ... |
| 15 | x ZI₂ BA ZA KA | ... ... |
| 16 | x-e-e-še | ..., |
| 17 | x ŋe₂₆-e UD DU IN | ... ... |
| 18 | x nu-NE-NE-e | ... does not ... |
| 19 | x X-ŋu₁₀-e-še | ..., |
| 20 | x X ZI₂ BA E | ... ... |
| 21 | X E X X X GA UN | ... ... |
| Ver.4, Seg.A, | ||
| 1 | x X KA-KA he₂-me-ni-tum₂-ma | ... may he bring, and |
| 2 | x X EZEN AN x X UB-ŋu₁₀ | ... ... |
| 3 | x UŠ x x X X DI | [x] lengths |
| 4 | ŋiš MU x ab-ur₃-ur₃-re-e-eš | “If he spits out ... |
| 5 | niŋ₂ šag₄ hul₂-la x x X-ta gala-ke₄ na-an-ze₂-en GU UL | May the lamentation singer not give me pleasure from the joyful ... |
| 6 | šu-na x X NE MA AN ZU im-ma-ab-ŋa₂-ŋa₂ | He ... ... |
| 7 | igi engar-e mu-e-ši-in-il₂-la | He raised the eye of the farmer |
| 8 | {d}en-lil₂-le iri nam ku₅-ra₂-ni ha-ba-ši-in-il₂-e | Enlil has decreed the fate of his city. |
| 9 | igi sipad-tur-re mu-e-ši-in-il₂-la | He raised the eyes of the young shepherd |
| 10 | {d}en-lil₂-le iri nam ku₅-ra₂-ni ha-ba-ši-in-il₂-la | Enlil had the city whose fate had been decreed |
| 11 | igi bahar₂-e mu-e-ši-in-il₂-la | He raised it before the potter |
| 12 | {d}en-lil₂-le iri nam ku₅-ra₂-ni ha-ba-ši-in-il₂-la | Enlil had the city whose fate had been decreed |
| 13 | igi nu-{ŋiš}kiri₆-e mu-e-ši-in-il₂-la | He did not look at the orchard, he raised it. |
| 14 | {d}en-lil₂-le iri nam ku₅-ra₂-ni ha-ba-ši-in-il₂-la | Enlil had the city whose fate had been decreed |
| Ver.4, Seg.B, | ||
| 1 | šu gi₄-gi₄-ra šu he₂-en-na-gi₄ | May he turn his hand towards him, may he return his hand to him |
| 2 | e₂-gal ni₂-bi-še₃ gam-e-dam | The palace is to be erected by itself |
| 3 | KU nu-ŋar-ra X X DI nu-ŋar-ra dab₅-be₂-X | ... seized ... |
| 4 | dumu-nitah e₂ ad-da-na-ka sa-ra | the son-in-law of his father’s house ... |
| 5 | niŋ₂-gig {d}nin-urta-kam | It is the niŋ-gig of Ninurta |
| 6 | šu gi₄-gi₄ niŋ₂-gig {d}nin-urta-kam | Hand of remission is a sin of Ninurta |
| 7 | ha-la-bi ba-ab-x X X šeš-da gid₂-i niŋ₂-gig {d}nin-urta-kam | Its share ... is long, it is a niŋ-gig of Ninurta |
| Ver.5, Seg.A, | ||
| 1 | nir-ŋal₂-e a-na-am₃ bi₂-in-dug₄ nu-sag₉ | What has he done wrong? It is not good. |
| 2 | nir-ŋal₂-e kug-zu-kam ukur₃ šu dib-ba šu ŋar ŋal₂-la aratta{ki} | It is the nirbal prayer of your gold. The ukur prayer, the šubar prayer, (and) the bala prayer of Aratta |
| 3 | dam KU e₂ X x X RA e₂ x | The spouse ... the house ... |
| 4 | dam-ŋu₁₀ dam MU DA X x | A wife ... a spouse. |
| 5 | IG DU₈ X zag x tur-ra BI dug₃-ga x | ... small ... |
| Ver.5, Seg.B, | ||
| 1 | nin u₃-ma-ta-ŠEŠ-ŠEŠ li-bi-dug₄-X | Lady Umata-šû, may it be well |
| 2 | e₂ ad-ta gul-gul X | The house of the father, destroyed ... |
| 3 | TUM-bi gu₅-li an-na X | Its ..., the bull of heaven ... |
| 4 | lu₂ niŋ₂-tuku lu₂ niŋ₂ nu-tuku gig-še₃ in-ŋar | A person who has fear, a person who does not fear fear, is sickened |
| 5 | i₃-ŋal₂ nam-tar-zu ad nu-ni-ŋal₂ | He carries your fate, he does not carry a message. |
| 6 | niŋ₂-gig-zu he₂-a niŋ₂-tuku ha-la ba-zu he₂-a | May your fear be your fear, may your share be your share. |
| 7 | NI ur-idim-bi ur-gir₁₅ ur X-ra | ... its lion, lion ... |
| 8 | lu₂ ur-a x | A dog ... |
| Ver.6, | ||
| 1 | niŋ₂-gen₆-na-da | with Ni-gena |
| 2 | a-ba mu-un-da-sa₂ | who equals you? |
| 3 | niŋ₂-erim₂-me a₂-bi X | “Our enemies, our arms ... |
| 4 | {ŋiš}ma₂ niŋ₂-gen₆-na ni₂ ba-ra-dirig | He made the boat that he had built tremble in fear. |
| 5 | {d}utu kar gen₆-na X-kiŋ₂-kiŋ₂ | Šamaš, the true harbor, the ... place |
| 6 | lu₂ X dam-a-ni X x X | ... his wife ... |
| 7 | e₂-kinkin-na du₈ he₂-ŋal₂ geme₂ X ha-ba-ra-be₂-e-še | May the ... of the E-kinkina be carried off, may the female slaves ... for you |
| 8 | geme₂ lul-la kar HAR X X x x | (Sum) A false slave woman ... (Akk) A prostitute ... |
| 9 | ŋiš-gan-na šu-dib nu-tuku X | Išgana, who has no rival |
| 10 | igi ba-KAL-KAL teš₂-bi la₂ X | before BaKAL-KAL, together ... |
| 11 | pa₅ ba-X nam-gu₅-li ba-X X | The canal ..., the herdsmanship ... |
| 12 | x X MU x nu-X X x | ... we |
| Ver.7, | ||
| 1 | šah₂ niga he₂-šum-e | may a fattened pig |
| 2 | niŋ₂ i₃-gu₇-a ga-ra-ab-gi₄ | I want to return to you the one who eats by himself. |
| 3 | šah₂-ze₂-eh-tur-e al-gud-gu₄-ud-de₃ | To make the small pigs roar |
| 4 | sag₉-ga-aš ŋe₂₆-e nu-ub-gu₇ | The good one does not eat |
| 5 | niŋ₂ am₃-da-tuku-tuku igi am₃-da-uru₃-e | She has confidence, she sees it. |
| 6 | niŋ₂ ha-lam-ma diŋir-ra-kam | It is a destruction of humanity, a multiplication of divisions |
| 7 | šu ku₄-ku₄ nu-ub-zu | Hand that does not know entering |
| 8 | {d}en-lil₂-le a-na-am₃ in-ak | What has Enlil done? |
| 9 | in-bul-bul {urud}šukur ma-an-e₃ | he has covered it with a šukur weapon, |
| 10 | su-ŋu₁₀ ib₂-te-te | (Sum) The one who is enraged (Akk) He is angry, he is angry |
| 11 | {d}en-lil₂ i₃-zig₃-ge-en-na-ŋu₁₀ {tug₂}niŋ₂-dara₂-ŋu₁₀ du-um | Enlil, when he rises, the nidara garment is his child. |
| Ver.8, | ||
| 1 | {d}en-lil₂ in-x | Enlil |
| 2 | in-a niŋ₂-gig | Ina-ni-gibit |
| 3 | maš₂ ba-da-DU | goat ... |
| 4 | MAŠ₂ x X X | (If) a goat |
| 5 | ur₂ X X | the base ... |
| 6 | MU X X | Year |
| 7 | X X X X | |
| Ver.9, | ||
| 1 | lu₂ X x x niŋ₂ ma-an-x | A man ... |
| 2 | X X RI KU tar-re | ... will be sought. |
| 3 | X šeš-gal-la sun₅-sun₅-x | ... great ... |
| 4 | šeš-e dam mu-un-X | The hand ... the spouse |
| 5 | X mu-un-ne-X a₂-a bi₂-in-taka₄ | ... he opened his arms. |
| 6 | šah₂-e niŋ₂ mu-un-la₂ me-a dam-ŋu₁₀ im-me | The pig carries fear, where is my spouse? |
| 7 | nam-tar u₃-mu-un-na-te | The fate of the lord |
| Ver.10, Seg.A, | ||
| 1 | lu₂ {ŋiš}ma₂ lu₂ X X niŋ₂ kab₂-a di-da | A man a boat, a man ... |
| 2 | gal₄-la tug₂-ga šu tag-ga | The vagina is dressed in a clean garment |
| 3 | niŋ₂-gig {d}suen-na-kam | It is the niŋ-gig of Suen |
| Ver.10, Seg.B, | ||
| 1 | nin x | the lady , |
| 2 | X x | |
| 3 | X x | |
| Ver.11, | ||
| 1 | X X x | |
| 2 | a-na-gin₇-nam niŋ₂ i₃-gu₇-a-ŋu₁₀ gub-ba-e-še | Why do you stand at your side like this? |
| 3 | muš-lah₅-e muš an-da-ŋal₂ | The mušlaḫ priest, the snake that carries (him) off |
| 4 | zu₂ mu-ra-ze₂-X | he ... for you. |
| 5 | x X x | |
| Ver.12, | ||
| 1 | ud-da-tuš A ŠEN x | Uddatus from the Bēl family |
| 2 | X x | |
| 3 | igi-a utul₂-zu KA x | In front of your oven ... |
| 4 | ud-da-tuš A X x X x | uddatušu-disease |
| 5 | x X x | |
| Ver.13, | ||
| 1 | di niŋ₂-gen₆-na hul-a | a verdict of destruction |
| 2 | di niŋ₂-erim₂-e ki aŋ₂ | the case of the enemy, the place of battle |
| 3 | niŋ₂-gig {d}utu-kam | It is the niŋ-gig of Utu. |
| Ver.14, | ||
| 1 | mušen x | ... snake |
| 2 | mušen A MU X saŋ x | ... snake |
| 3 | mušen i₃-udu mušen-bi bur x | The snake, the sheep, its snake ... the bowl |
| Ver.15, | ||
| 1 | gud šu-gi₄ ki ni₁₀-ni₁₀-da kaš₄ u₃-bi₂-in-du | The oxen of the šugiŋ drum was brewing beer in the place of rejoicing |
| 2 | usu niŋ₂ ud-bi-da-ŋu₁₀ ni₂-me-en gur-e-še | Strength, fear of the storm, you are a fearsome one |
| 3 | iri re-ta e-da i₃-me-am₃ usu-ŋu₁₀ niŋ₂-tukum-ta-e-še | “From the beginning of the city he is the one who knows the strength of mankind. |
| Ver.16, | ||
| 1 | kud-kud gi-gur ba-an-dab | ... seized the reed mat. |
| 2 | inim-ma-a-ni-ra lu₂ al-sag₃-e | The man trembles at his word. |
| 3 | ZA AD RA-a lu₂-ulu₃ al-NI-DI | ... a man ... |
| Ver.17, | ||
| 1 | di-kud niŋ₂-gen₆-na hul-a aš₂ a₂ zid-da bal-e | The judge, the one who is negligent, he who has acted with righteous force |
| 2 | dumu-nitah tur-ra e₂ ad-da-na-ka ib₂-ta-an-sar-re | The young son writes in his father's house. |
| 3 | niŋ₂-gig {d}nin-urta-ke₄ | the nigig priestess of Ninurta, |
| Ver.18, | ||
| 1 | lu₂ inim gen₆-na bal-bal | the one who carries out good words |
| 2 | inim diŋir-ra-ni-ta nam-tar sag₉-ga-am₃ | Through his intercession speech, the fate is good. |
| 3 | ud šu₂-uš mu-da-ŋal₂ | He carried the day with him. |
| Ver.19, | ||
| 1 | lugal-ŋu₁₀ en an-na šu du₇ | Lugal-bu, lord of heaven, perfect one |
| 2 | ambar a-ri-a e₂ bi₂-in-du₃ | He built a house in the marsh of the river. |
| Ver.20, | ||
| 1 | ur₃ lugal-bi-ir nu-gub-ba | that the base of its king would not stand, |
| 2 | {ŋiš}alal-bi a nu-um-de₂-e-še | Its reed mats did not pour water |
| Ver.21, | ||
| 1 | ka₅-a ŋeštug-bi al-gig | The “opening of the hem′-garment’ is an illness. |
| 2 | ŋiri₃-bi al-guz-e | Its cities are encircled. |
| Ver.22, | ||
| 1 | a-la-zu ni e₂ du₃-du₃-a | Your ala drum, a built-up house. |
| 2 | nam-tur-ra X dam tuku | The young woman who has a spouse |
| Ver.23, | ||
| 1 | inim-inim niŋ₂-si-sa₂ tum₂-ma | a word fitting for himself |
| 2 | {d}id₂-lu₂-ru-gu₂ šag₄-bi u₆ di-e | Idlurugu, whose face is marvellous |
| Ver.24, | ||
| 1 | lu₂-ulu₃ diŋir-da nu-me-a | The one who is not a diŋirda priest, |
| 2 | nu la-ba-gu nu la-ba-tur-ra | he will not raise a claim, he shall not reduce. |
| Ver.25, | ||
| 1 | lu₂ igištu-ke₄ izi al-gu₇-e | The one of the eye eats fire |
| 2 | lu₂ eŋer na-ab-be₂ me-am₃ lu₂ du₁₁-saŋ | The one who says "Eber!", where is the one lying down? |
| Ver.26, | ||
| 1 | amaš šeg₉-bar-ŋu₁₀ en-nam | The sheepfold of Šegbarbu - how long? |
| 2 | ildum₂ 50-am₃ u₂-a ba-an-lu | The ildum priestess is 50, the grass is plentiful. |
| Ver.27, | ||
| 1 | ŋiš-gu₂-ka ha-mu-ra-an-KU TAR HU | May your lips be ... for you |
| 2 | engar gu₄-ra-ke₄ addir ha-mu-ra-an-sag₃-ge | May the farmer of the oxen strike the addir for you |
| Ver.28, | ||
| 1 | niŋ₂-gur₁₁ niŋ₂-gur₁₁ lugal | Fear, fear of the king, |
| 2 | an-ku₄-ku₄ nu-si-sa₂ ab-ta-e₃-a nu-silig-ge | The one who enters is not good, he emerges but is not strong. |
| Ver.29, | ||
| 1 | lu₂ {kuš}a₂-ŋa₂-la₂-ni nu-keše₂-da gu₅-li-ni-da | The one whose sandals are not tied, his friend |
| 2 | šag₄ bi₂-in-dab₅ | he seized |
| Ver.30, | ||
| 1 | mu sa₄-sa₄ ur inim {d}šakkan₂-ta | named by the dog by the command of Šakkan, |
| Ver.31, | ||
| 1 | nin amar an-na pad₃-da nu-pad₃-da | Lady, calf chosen in heaven, not chosen. |
| Ver.32, | ||
| 1 | {d}lum-ma lu₂ niŋ₂ sag₉-ga-ra sag₉-ga-aš he₂-na-ŋal₂ | May Lama, the one who is pleasing to himself, be pleasing to him. |
| Ver.33, | ||
| 1 | {ŋiš}banšur {d}en-lil₂-la₂-ka ba-ŋal₂-la | The table of Enlil was carried off. |
| Ver.34, | ||
| 1 | a-ba zi-bi mu-un-tuku-e-še | Who can rival you? |
| Ver.35, | ||
| 1 | iri ad₄-lu₂-u₃-ka ba-za lu₂-kaš₄-e-kam | In the city of Adlû, it is a courier. |
| Ver.36, | ||
| 1 | na₄ kalag-ga-gin₇ ki-zu₂-ur₅-ra nu-tuku | Like a mighty stone, he does not have a foundation. |
| Ver.37, | ||
| 1 | a-a hi-li a-a keše₂ saŋ ama bi₂-dug₄ | Fathers of allure, fathers of strife, the mother agrees |
| Ver.38, | ||
| 1 | |KU.GA₂.NUN|-tir-ra{mušen} gu₃ de₂ {ŋiš}šinig-am₆ me-te-bi | It is a kuggarû-tirra bird that cries out, it is an e’vinig bird |
| Ver.39, | ||
| 1 | TUR-|ŠE.HU|-ZA{mušen} gu₃ de₂ ambar-am₃ me-te-bi | “I am the one who calls out to you in the marshes. |
| Ver.40, | ||
| 1 | ga-ra-ab-šum₂-bi lu₂-ra ga-ni-in-us₂ | I want to bring it to you, I will establish it for the man |
| Ver.41, | ||
| 1 | lugal dub-sar lugal dur mah id₂-da gib-ba | king, scribe, king of the great dur canal, the canal inspector, |
| Ver.42, | ||
| 1 | lu₂ si sa₂-ra {na₄}kinkin id₂-da mu-na-dirig-dirig | The one who poured out a šēdu stone in the river for him, |
| Ver.43, | ||
| 1 | haš₂ ba-ra-an-gid₂-nam lu₂ še-ŋeš-i₃ bi₂-ib₂-il₂-il₂ | he did not give it to you, he raised the man with oil |
Sources & licences
- Open Richly Annotated Cuneiform Corpus (ORACC) · CC BY-SA 3.0 (ORACC default); per-file JSON license fields say: This data is released under the CC0 license (133618) · ORACC project editions, https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ ; cite the individual project (see texts.extra_json.project)
Cite the original edition and translator. Page generated by Unread Atlas from the public corpus export of 2026-10-18.