If any one owe a debt for a loan, and a storm prostrates the grain, or the harvest fail, or the grain does not grow for lack of water; in that year he need not give his creditor any grain, he washes his debt-tablet in water and pays no rent for this year.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Debtors are forgiven if natural disasters ruin their harvest.
- In plain terms
- You do not have to pay debts if crops fail due to nature.
- What can you take from it?
- Systems should account for uncontrollable risks.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Should debt be flexible?
- How do you handle bad luck?
Another view
It might encourage risky lending or farming habits.
More from Hammurabi
Anu and Bel called by name me, Hammurabi, the exalted prince, who feared God, to bring about the rule of righteousness in the land.
Permalink to quote #1 If a man put out the eye of another man, his eye shall be put out.
Permalink to quote #3 Laws of justice which Hammurabi, the wise king, established.
Permalink to quote #4
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