The king of Babylonia and the king of Persia (1)

Text
Wisdom Literature (Syriac Piece):
The king of the Babylonians wrote and sent to the king of the Persians, and said to him: “Explain to me six sayings, those which I ask you, and take from me three years’ tribute, and if you do not answer them I will take from you three years tribute.” Now the king wrote as follows: “What is heavier than a mountain, and what is hotter than fire; and what is sharper than a sword, and what is sweeter than honey, and what is fatter than a sheep’s tail, and what is sure among created things?” The answer of the king of Persians which he returned to the king of Babylonians: “That which is heavier than a mountain is deceit; that which is hotter than fire is the wrath of man; that which is sharper than a sword is the tongue of a wicked woman; and that which is sweeter than honey is milk in a child’s mouth which it sucks from its mother, and that which is fatter than a sheep’s tail is the land and water that makes everything on them fat; and that which is sure among created things is death.” And when he knew and explained them, he sent him three years’ tribute, as he had settled.

Source (list of abbreviations)
Wisdom Literature (Syriac Piece)

Bibliography

Amar Annus

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