"Gilgamesh, whither do you run? The life which you seek you will not find; (For) when the gods created mankind They allotted death to mankind, But life they retained in their keeping. As for you, Gilgamesh, let your belly be full; Day and night be merry; Make everyday (a day of) rejoicing. Day and night dance and play. Let your raiment be clean, Your head washed (and) yourself bathed in water. Cherish the little one holding your hand, (and) let the wife rejoice in your bosom. This is the lot of [mankind .....]. (Tablet X, iii, 1-14)"
As cited in: Denning-Bolle, Sara J. 1987 "Wisdom and Dialogue in the Ancient near East." p.214-234.
As cited in: Denning-Bolle, Sara J. 1987 "Wisdom and Dialogue in the Ancient near East." p.214-234.
