Assyrian Wisdom, Syriac Script

If you are wearing shoes,
Step on thorns and open
A path for your children and grandchildren.

–Advice from Ahiqar, sage and advisor to the Assyrian king Sennacherib, to his nephew.

A month ago, George Bet-Shlimon sent me four text fragments from his personal library of Assyrian documents, written out by hand in the Syriac script. This was my favorite, and I was lucky enough to have an astounding piece of flamed mahogany into which I could carve it. My deepest thanks to George, and also to Peter BetBassoo who helped me reach out to the Assyrian community through his online newsletter.