Gerald J. Davis > Quotes

“There are no footnotes or endnotes in this translation. If any explanations or clarifications are required, they are embedded in the body of the text, so as not to interrupt the flow of the words. After all, as Noel Coward once famously remarked, “Having to read a footnote resembles having to go downstairs to answer the door while in the midst of making love.”
― Gerald J. Davis, The Canterbury Tales: The New Translation

“Have you ever, O Gilgamesh, compared your lot with that of a fool?”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“the Great Gods suffered hunger and thirst, for mortals no longer offered up food and drink as sacrifice unto the Gods.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“May Shamash the Sun God grant you success in your endeavor.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“The life of a man is as easily broken as a reed in a thicket of cane.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“could the shepherds lie down in peace. They could slumber undisturbed, for Enkidu was their watchman, he who remained awake in the night.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“Enkidu sat before Shamhat. The temple harlot uncovered her bosom. Whereupon did Enkidu forget the wilderness wherein he was begotten. So, for the space of seven days and seven nights, did Enkidu lie once again with the priestess and go into her, his member hard.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“fragrant unguents,”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“The Anunnaki, the Assembly of Great Gods, together with Mammetum, Maker of Destiny, do ordain the Fate of men. Both Death and Life do they allot, but the hour of his Death is not for a man to know.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“How like unto Gilgamesh is this man,” they did affirm. “He is tall in stature and strong as a battlement. Surely was he begotten in the mountains. His strength is as mighty as a rock fallen from the Heavens.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“Everything is impermanent.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“Notwithstanding that his mother be the Wild Cow Goddess Ninsun, we cannot grant him eternal life. However, Gilgamesh, as a ghost in the Netherworld, shall assume the role of Governor of that realm. He shall rule over the ghosts in the Netherworld. Gilgamesh will render judgment, he will issue verdicts. His word shall be as weighty as that of the Gods Ningishzida and Dumuzi.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“At this did Siduri, the Maker of Wine, say unto Gilgamesh, “Gilgamesh, wherefore do you wander so? Never will you find the eternal life you seek. For the Gods, when first they created mortals, allotted Death unto mankind, but life everlasting the Gods retained in their keeping.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“All men are duplicitous.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“O reed fence, pay heed to my words. Tell your master, Utanapishtim of Shuruppak, son of Ubaratutu, to pull down his house and fashion a vessel therefrom. Advise him to abandon all possessions and save his life. Tell him to disdain worldly riches and preserve life instead. Aboard this vessel shall he take the seed of every creature that lives upon the Earth. This boat, which he is to build, the measurements shall be equal for the width and the length thereof. Tell him to cover this vessel, as the Firmament covers the Abyss.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“I gave unto my workmen mead, beer, ale and wine, which they did quaff as if it were water from the river.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“May the brewer bewail you, who once gave you beer to quaff.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“Then did Enkidu groom his hair and anoint himself with oil. Thus did Enkidu become as a man.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“And it came to pass that they embraced like brothers and were as friends.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“And it befell that Enkidu built for Gilgamesh a dwelling for the God of Dreams. Unto this dwelling did Enkidu affix a door, that the wind might not enter therein.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“But, withal, Enkidu now had wisdom and enlightenment.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“Shamash the Sun God as He set, they dug a well, from which they filled their water-skins with fresh water. And then did Gilgamesh ascend to the mountain peak, where he poured out upon the ground an enchanted circle of milled flour as an offering, and uttered these words in supplication, “O Mountain, bring unto me a dream, that I may receive a favorable sign from Shamash.” And it befell that Enkidu built for Gilgamesh a dwelling for the God of Dreams. Unto this dwelling did Enkidu affix a door, that the wind might not enter therein. Then did Enkidu bid Gilgamesh to lie upon the ground, so he could pour about him an enchanted circle of milled flour to cause Gilgamesh to dream. And then did Enkidu betake himself to lie upon the threshold of the dwelling. In the night, Gilgamesh sat with his chin upon his knee. And, then, sleep came to him, as it does to all men. In”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“My friend, it is the Destiny of every man to die. What is unknowable is the hour of his Death.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“No longer pure was Enkidu. His strength failed him. His legs would serve him not, as he tried to follow after the wild beasts. He was no longer swift. But, withal, Enkidu now had wisdom and enlightenment.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“Gilgamesh, let your stomach always be full. Be of good cheer each day and each night. Fill each day with merriment. With dancing and rejoicing let every day be abounding. Fresh and clean should be your raiment. Aye, let your hair be clean washed. Bathe yourself in pure water. Cherish the little child who holds your hand. Bring joy to the loins of your wife. This, then, is the work of man.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“But, in those days of yore, the multitudes teemed upon the face of the Earth and the unceasing clamor and wickedness of the people aroused the wrath of the Gods. And thus the Great Gods purposed a mighty Deluge to rain down in order to wipe out mankind.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“You must know the Gods have decreed that the lot of the living is to grieve.”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation

“fairly the grievances and petitions of the weak and poor, and let not the strong and wealthy gain unjust advantage. Meanwhile”
― Gerald J. Davis, Gilgamesh: The New Translation