The seals or signets which formed almost a necessary part of each man's costume were, except in rare instances, of a religious character.

Even in banquets, where we might have expected that thoughts of religion would be laid aside, it seems to have been the practice during the drinking to rehearse the praises of the deities.
We are told by Nicolas of Damascus that the Babylonians cultivated two virtues especially, honesty and calmness.

Honesty is the natural, almost the necessary virtue of traders, who soon find that it is the best policy to be fair and just in their dealings.

We may well believe that this intelligent people had the wisdom to see their true interests, and to understand that trade can never prosper unless conducted with integrity and straightforwardness.

The very fact that their trade did prosper, that their goods were everywhere in request, is sufficient proof of their commercial honesty, and of their superiority to those tricks which speedily ruin a commerce.
Calmness is not a common Oriental virtue.