Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.Gilgamesh dropped his axe, appalled.Enkidu said, "Courage, dear friend,Close your ears to Humbaba's curses.Don't listen to a word. Slaughter him! Now!"Gilgamesh, hearing his beloved friend,came to himself.

Enkidu encourages Gilgamesh by telling him to be courageous and ignore Humbaba’s curses. After hearing his friend’s words, Gilgamesh “came to himself,” showing that the encouragement helps him regain his resolve. This supports the idea that encouragement offers powerful motivation.

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