,illu/ration3 ,cov] art                 
,transcrib]'s note3 ! v>i\s sections (  
?is book _h v>y+ page head]s4  ,^?      
head]s h be5 collect$ at ! />t ( ea*    
section z introductory p>agraphs4       
,,! ,,wisdom ,,( ,,! ,,ea/    ,,!       
,,in/ruction   ,,( ,,ptah-,,hotep ,,&   
,,! ,,in/ruction ,,(   ,,ke',,gemni3 ,,!
 ,,olde/   ,,books ,,9 ,,! ,,_w4        
,,translat$ ,,f ,,! ,,egyptian   ,,)    
,,an ,,introduction ,,& ,,app5dix  ,,by 
,,battiscombe ,g4 ,,gunn     ,,london   
,,john ,,murray1 ,,albem>le ,,/reet     
#aijf     ,,to  ,,my ,,"m               
,,vii4,,nov4,,mcmiv     ,,cont5ts       
,page  ,,introduction 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4   #aa  ,,!    
,,in/ruction ,,( ,,ptah-,,hotep  4 4 4 4
 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4   #da  ,,!           
,,in/ruction ,,( ,,ke',,gemni  4 4 4 4 4
 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4   #fb   ,,app5dix    
,,note ,,to ,,app5dix 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4   #fe  ,,!        
,,in/ruction ,,( ,,am5emh',,et 4 4 4 4 4
 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4   #fg  ,,explanation   

,,( ,,names 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 
4 4 4 4   #gb  ,,bibliography 4 4 4 4 4 
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4   #gc 
#aj  ,,editorial ,,note  ,! object ( !  
editors ( ?is s]ies is a v def9ite "o4  
,!y desire above all ?+s t1 9 _! humble 
way1 ^! books %all be ! ambassadors (   
good-w & und]/&+ betwe5 ,ea/ & ,we/1 !  
old _w ( ,?\ght1 & ! new ( ,action4  ,9 
?is endeav\r1 & 9 _! own sph]e1 !y are b
 foll[]s ( ! highe/ example 9 ! l&4  ,!y
 are confid5t t a deep] k ( ! great     
ideals & l(ty philosophy ( ,ori5tal     
?\ght may help to a revival ( t true _s 
( ,*>ity :i* nei!r despises nor fe>s !  
nations ( ano!r cre$ & col\r4  ,f9ally1 
9 ?ank+ press & public = ! v cordial    
reception giv5 to ! ,wisdom ( ! ,ea/    
s]ies1 !y wi% to /ate t no pa9s h be5   
sp>$ to secure ! be/ speciali/s = !     
treatm5t ( ! v>i\s subjects at h&4      
,l4 ,,cranm]-,,byng4   ,s4 ,a4          
,,kapadia4    #d1 ,,h>c\rt ,,build+s1   
,,inn] ,,temple1       ,,london4     #aa
  ,,! ,,in/ruction ,,( ,,ptah-,,hotep   

,,introduction  ,memorials ( ! ,pa/--,! 
,l& ( ,d>kness--,! ,"t (                
,ptah-,hotep--,conc]n+ ! ,book--,!      
,treatise ( ,ke',gemni--,date ( !       
,manuscript--,an ,egyptian              
,*e/]field--,:o 0 ,ptah-,hotep8--,8     
,tea*+--,views on ,wom5--,! ,gods (     
,egypt--,previ\s ,translations--,!      
,olde/ ,book ,kn[n     ,is !re any?+    
:]e( x may be said1    ,see1 ?is is new6
   ,x ha? be5 already ( old "t1    ,:i* 
0 be=e u4   ,!re is no remembrance ( =m]
 ?+s2    ,nei!r %all !re be any         
remembrance   ,( ?+s t are to come    ,)
 ^? t %all come aft]4   ,9 ^! days1 :5  
all ?+s & memories ( ! pa/ are at l5g?  
become n only subs]vi5t to1 b subm]g$   
by1 ! matt]s & ne$s ( ! imm$iate pres5t1
 ^? pa?s ( k t lead into regions seem+ly
 remote f su* ne$s are some:at          
discr$it$2 & ! aims ( ^? t foll[ !m :i!r
 !y lead are reg>d$ z q out ( t\* ) !   
real int]e/s ( life4  ,v greatly is ?is 
s ) ar*aeology1 & ! /udy ( anci5t &     
curi\s tongues1 & se>*+s into old ?\ghts

 on high & ev]-insi/5t que/ions2 a      
public :i* has h>dly "t to #ab read m   
?an its daily newspap] & its weekly     
novel has d5\nc$--almo/ dismiss$--!m1 ) 
_m o!r noble & wond]ful ?+s1 z          
'unpractical1' :atev] t vague & holl[ ^w
 may mean4  ,z to ^? matt]s :i* lie v f>
 back1 conc]n+ ! l&s ( sev]al ?\s& ye>s 
ago1 x is v g5]ally held t !y are !     
prop] & peculi> prov9ce ( speciali/s1   
dry-z-du/s1 & p]sons ) an irr$ucible    
m9imum ( human nature4  ,x is ?\ght t k 
conc]n+ !m1 n ! blank ignorance reg>d+  
!m t almo/ ev]y:]e obta9s1 is a ?+ ( :i*
 to be r a%am$1 a detrim5tal possession2
 9 a ^w1 t ! subject is n only          
unpr(itable 7a grave (f5ce71 b also     
un9t]e/+1 & !re=e contemptible4  ,?is is
 a true e/imate ( g5]al op9ion1 al?\gh  
!re are ^? :o w1 = _! own sakes1 ga9say 
x4  ,:51 !re=e1 ,i /ate t "o ( ! writ+s 
h]e9 translat$ has an age ( ne>ly six   
?\s& ye>s1 & t ano!r is b five hundr$   
ye>s y\ng]1 x is likely t _m w f9d ?is  
suffici5t reason aga9/ fur!r p]usal1    

deem+ x impossible t su* ?+s c possess  
attraction = "o n an en?usia/ = !m4     
,yet s few are ! voices across s great a
 span ( ye>s t ^? among !m hav+ any?+ to
 tell u %\ld be welcome exce$+ly2 :]eas1
 = ! mo/ "p1 !y h cri$ 9 ! #ac wild]ness
 ( neglect hi!rto1 or fall5 on e>s fill$
 ) ! clam\r ( m in/ant ?+s4  ,i c\ld %[1
 if ?is 7 a fitt+ place1 t ,ar*aeology  
is n at all divorc$ f life1 nor ev5     
devoid ( emotion z subtle & /range1 z   
swift & mov+1 z t exp]i5c$ by ^? :o love
 & foll[ ,art4  ,%e1 ,ar*aeology1 is1 = 
^? :o "k h]1 full ( su* emotion2 g>b$ 9 
an imp]i%able glam\r1 %e is rais$ f>    
above ! turmoil ( ! pres5t on ! w+s (   
,imag9ation4  ,h] eyes are sombre ) !   
memory ( ! wisdom driv5 f h] scatt]$    
sanctu>ies2 & at h] lips wond]ful ?+s   
/rive = utt]ance4  ,9 h] are ga!r$      
toge!r ! long+s & ! laught]1 ! fe>s &   
failures1 ! s9s & spl5d\rs & a*ievem5ts 
( innum]able g5]ations ( m52 & by h] we 
are %[n all ! elem5tal & t]rible        
passions ( ! un*ang+ s\l ( man1 to :i*  

all cultures & philosophies are b g>m5ts
 to hide its nak$ness2 & ?us 9 h]1 z 9  
,art1 "s ( u may realise ourselves4     
,)al %e is heavy-he>t$1 mak+ cont9ual   
lam5tation = a glory t has )]$ & old    
hopes )\t fulfilm5t2 & all h]           
habitations are laid wa/e4  ,z = ! true 
lov] ( all old & =gott5 ?+s1 x may ju/ly
 be said ( him1 z ( ! poet1 ,nascitur1  
non fit4  ,= ! dreams & ! wond] are )   
him f ! beg9n+2 & 9 e>ly *ildhood1 kn[+ 
z yet h>dly #ad ! names ( anci5t        
peoples1 he is consci\s (1 & ye>ns      
in/9ctively t[>d1 an imm5se & ev]-rec$+ 
pa/4  ,) ! "o1 z ) ! o!r1 ! unacc\ntable
 passion is s knitt$ into 8 s\l t x w   
nev]1 among a ?\s& di/ractions & adv]se 
influ5ces1 entirely =sake him2 nor c su*
 an "o by will+ cause x to come or to   
dep>t4  ,he w live mu* 9 imag9ation1    
!re9 tread+ fair places n[ enwrapp$ 9 _!
 inevitable %r\d ( w9d-bl[n s&2 build+  
anew temples ^: /ones h>dly rema9 "o ^u 
! o!r1 consecrate to gods dead z _!     
multitudes ( wor%ipp]s2 hold+ conv]se ) 

! sages :o1 ) all _! lore1 c\ld n escape
 ! ultimate oblivion3 a spectator (     
spl5did pageants1 a m9i/rant at /range  
rites1 a witness to va/ trag$ies1 he    
also has admittance to ! magical k+dom1 
to :i* is add$ ! fre$om ( ! city (      
,remembrance4  ,8 c>e w be to con/ruct1 
pati5tly & ) mu* lab\r1 a picture 7:i*  
is (t5 less ?an an outl9e7 ( !          
conditions ( ! humanity t has be52 & he 
nei!r rejects nor despises any relic1   
h[ev] trivial or unlovely1 t w help him1
 9 its degree1 to und]/& bett] t        
humanity or to bridge ! wide *asms ( 8  
ignorance4 ,moreov]1 great age hall[s   
all ?+s1 ev5 ! mo/ mean1 inve/+ !m ) a  
c]ta9 sanctity2 & ! little s&al ( a     
nameless #ae *ild1 or ! rude amulet     
plac$ long ago ) weep+ on ! /ill bosom (
 a fri5d1 w move 8 he>t z /rongly by its
 appeal z ! pr\d & endur+ monum5t ( a   
great conqu]or insatiable ( praise4 ,at 
times1 mov+ among ! tok5s ( a p]iod t ! 
rav5\s ye>s d>e n :olly efface 9 pass+1 
he he>s1 call+ fa9tly z f af>1          

innum]able voices--! voices ( ^? :o1    
/ret*+ =? 9 ,%eol eag] h&s t[>d ,life1  
greatly desire t "s memorial ( !m1 be x 
b a "n1 may survive 9 ! _w ( m54444     
,anci5t ,egypt f>es p]haps bett] ?an o!r
 c\ntries ( antiquity at ! h&s ( !      
'g5]al read]1' & sometimes obta9s a he>+
 :5 !y d n1 by reason ( its intimate    
contact at c]ta9 p]iods ) ! nation t has
 br\ght u ! ,old ,te/am5t4  ,because (  
?is ! report ( x has be5 ) u con/antly1 
& x has ne>ly become a symbol 9         
religion4  ,! /ories ( ,moses & !       
magicians1 & ( ! deal+s ( ,abraham &    
,joseph ) ,ph>aoh1 toge!r ) ! rude      
woodcuts ( ,egyptian taskma/]s &        
cupbe>]s 9 family ,bibles1 h inve/$ !   
v5]able l& ) a dreamy my/]y2 :ile e "o  
has he>d ( ',rameses1 ! ,ph>aoh ( !     
,oppression1' & ',m5eptah1 ! ,ph>aoh ( !
 ,exodus4'  ,& x is possible t = ! sake 
( su* #af association1 if n = 8 own     
sake1 ,ptah-hotep w be consid]$ wor?y ( 
notice4  ,b 9 spite ( ! fact t ! ,anci5t
 ,egyptians enjoy r m popul>ity ?an _!  

contempor>ies1 x is evid5t t ! books :i*
 !y wrote are clos$ books to ^? :o h n !
 glam\r ( vani%$ peoples1 & ! fasc9ation
 ( mighty cities n[ made desolate1 /rong
 ^u !m4  ,yet 9 ! het]og5e\s & pitiful  
flotsam t reluctant seas h wa%$ to u    
piecemeal f a remote pa/1 !re are1 z w  
be %[n lat]1 _m ?+s :i*1 al?\gh proce$+ 
f a culture & modes ( ?\ght z f> remov$ 
f our own z !y may well be1#a are wor? !
 read+1 :i* d n require any special k = 
_! und]/&+2 & ( ^! are ! translations 9 
?is book4  ,! foll[+ pages1 :i*1 al?\gh 
address$ to ! 'g5]al read]1' may yet be 
( "s assi/ance to ^? especially int]e/$ 
9 ,egypt1 give1 among o!r matt]s1 !     
place ( ! ,in/ructions ( ,ptah-hotep &  
,ke'gemni 9 ! 'lit]ature' ( ,egypt2 _!  
place--_! #ag unique place--9 !         
lit]ature ( ! _w2 _! value hi/orically2 
a description ( ! docum5t 9 :i* !y 7    
f\nd2 :at is kn[n ( _! au?ors2 a        
discussion ( _! cont5ts4   ,! l& ( :i* !
 ,fa!r ( ,hi/ory decl>$ t no o!r c\ntry 
held s _m wond]s1 has bequea!d u1 by    

v>i\s *annels1 ! rum\r & remnant ( a    
/range k4  ,%e has devis$ u enigmas     
insoluble1 & r5d]$ up to u signs &      
messages ^: mean+ is d>k = all "t4  ,&  
%e has left a religion1 'veil$ 9        
allegory & illu/rat$ by symbol1' z      
fasc9at+ z imp5etrable = ^? :o approa*  
x4  ,= into our h&s ! keys ( ^! ?+s h n 
be5 deliv]$2 :]e=e mu* /udy ( !m is a   
we>9ess to ! fle%1 & ( ! haz>d+ (       
int]pretations !re is no end4  ,b ap>t f
 ! mazes ( my?ology1 ! brok5 ways (     
hi/ory & ! empty lett] ( a dead fai?1   
!re are1 z is kn[n to "s1 & z ?is little
 book pr(esses to %[1 _m docum5ts :i*   
are antique1 b n antiquat$1 possess+    
int]e/ above ! purely ar*aeological--!  
int]e/ call$ human4  ,( ^! are ! tales  
:i* recall1 9 incid5t z 9 /yle1 ^? ( !  
immortal collection1 full ( ! :ole      
glam\r ( ! ,ea/1 ! ,?\s& ,nights & a    
,night4  #ah ,su* are ! love-songs1 full
 ( ! burn+ utt]ance ( desire2 ! pa!tic &
 ev5 bitt] dirges1 ^: s+]s h se5 all !  
works t are done "u ! sun1 & f\nd all to

 be vanity & vexation ( _s4  ,& su* also
 are ! didactic poems = ! in/ruction (  
y\?1 :i*--9 poetic phrase & 9 great     
detail--inculcate1 among o!r ?+s1 !     
practice ( "r conduct z ! price (       
happ9ess2 a c\rtesy h>dly less          
consid]ate ?an our own2 & a *>ity :i*1  
:5 c]ta9 inevitable %ortcom+s are all[$ 
=1 be>s comp>ison ) almo/ any lat]      
sy/em4  ,out ( ^! !re are _m t may      
prop]ly claim a place 9 a s]ies be>+ !  
seal ( ! ,wisdom ( ! ,ea/1 ?\gh !y      
belong only to ! m objective &          
'practical' side ( t ,wisdom4  ,b1 z    
t\*+ ! books "h translat$--!            
,in/ructions ( ,ptah-hotep & (          
,ke'gemni--!y possess1 ap>t f ! curi\s  
nature ( _! cont5ts1 a feature ( !      
greate/ int]e/1 & an adequate claim on !
 notice ( all p]sons int]e/$ 9 lit]ature
 & its hi/ory4  ,= if ! dat+s &         
ascriptions 9 !m be accept$ z tru/wor?y 
7!re is no reason :y !y %\ld n be s     
accept$71 !y 7 compos$ ab\t f\r ?\s&    
ye>s be=e ,*ri/1 & ?ree ?\s& five hundr$

 & fifty ye>s be=e ,*ri/1 respectively4 
,& ! significance ( ^? remote dates is1 
t !y are ! olde/ #ai books 9 ! _w1 !    
e>lie/ extant specim5s ( ! lit]>y art4  
,!y /& on ! extreme horizon ( all t     
ocean ( pap] & ink t has become to u z  
an atmosph]e1 a fif? elem5t1 an ess5tial
 ( life4  ,books ( _m k9ds _h ( c\rse   
be5 writt5 = c5turies be=e ,ptah-hotep (
 ,memphis summ>is$1 = ! b5efit ( future 
g5]ations1 ! lead+ pr9ciples ( morality 
curr5t 9 8 day2 ev5 be=e ! ,vizi]1 five 
hundr$ ye>s e>li]1 gave to 8 *ildr5 !   
scroll :i* !y priz$ above all ?+s on    
e>?2#b b ^? h p]i%$ & ^! rema94  ,!re   
are li/s ( titles :i* h a l>ge s\nd1 &  
pray]s to ! ,gods = all good ?+s1 on !  
tombs & monum5ts ( k+s & magnates long  
be=e ! "t ( ,ke'gemni2 b ^? are n books 
9 any s5se ( t ^w4  ,ev5 ! long1 /range 
*ants & spells engrav5 9 ! ,royal       
,pyramids ov] aga9/ ,memphis are lat]   
?an ! "t ( ,ptah-hotep1 & _c be call$   
books 9 _! pres5t =m1 al?\gh "s ( !m    
app>5tly orig9at$ be=e ! ,fir/          

,dyna/y4#c  ,nor d ! olde/ books ( any  
o!r c\ntry approa* ^! two 9 antiquity4  
,to draw #bj comp>isons betwe5 !m let u1
 9 imag9ation1 place ourselves at !     
p]iod at :i* ,ptah-hotep liv$1 t is1    
ab\t ,b4,c4 #ceej1 '"u ,k+ ,issi1 liv+ =
 ev]1' & take a glance at futurity4  ,! 
,babylonians are d\btless ex]cis+ _!    
lit]>y tal5ts2 b !y w leave no?+ wor?y !
 "n ( book to ! f> po/]ity ( fifty-f\r  
c5turies h5ce4  ,?irte5 c5turies %all   
pass be=e ,hammurabi1 ,k+ ( ,babylon1   
drafts ! code ( laws t w be f\nd at t   
"t4  ,only aft] two ?\s& ye>s %all      
,moses write on ! orig9 ( ?+s1 & ! ,v$as
 be arrang$ 9 _! pres5t =m4  ,x w be    
two-&-a-half ?\s& ye>s be=e ! ,great ,k+
 ( ,j]usalem w set 9 ord] _m prov]bs &  
write books s mu* resembl+1 9 =m & /yle1
 t ( ,ptah-hotep2#d be=e ! s\rce &      
summit ( ,european lit]ature w write 8  
_w epics4  ,= ! space ( ye>s betwe5     
,solomon & ourselves1 great ?\gh x seem1
 is n s great z t betwe5 ,solomon &     
,ptah-hotep4   ,! numb] ( extant texts (

 ! class to :i* ! subjo9$ imm$iately    
belong is n l>ge 9 proportion to ! re/ (
 ,egyptian ,,mss41 #ba b !y seem to be  
repres5tative ( ! class1 be+ div]se 9   
date & subject1 b simil> 9 =m4  ,!re is 
great uni=mity 9 ! arrangem5t ( mo/ (   
!m1 9 ! foll[+ respects4  ,!y h z title 
! ^w ',in/ruction' 7seb'yet71 & are     
writt5 by a fa!r = ! advantage ( 8 son2 
!y are v poetic 9 _! arrangem5t ( words 
& phrases1 & are usually divid$ into    
%ort sections or p>agraphs by ! use ( r$
 ink = ! fir/ s5t5ce ( ea*4  ,su* is !  
,in/ruction ( ,ptah-hotep on morality 7!
 f9e/ ( its class72 ! ,in/ruction ( ,k+ 
,am5emh'et on ! holl[ness ( fri5d%ip &  
o!r matt]s2 ! ,in/ruction ( ,deu'(1 !   
son ( ,kh]ti1 on ! excell5ce ( ! lit]>y 
life2 & o!rs4  ,9 _m respects & 9 _m    
details !y greatly resemble ! didactic  
works ( ! ,old ,te/am5t & ,apocrypha4   
,^! ',in/ructions' 7 held 9 high e/eem z
 text-books & writ+ ex]cises 9 s*ools--a
 circum/ance to :i* we owe ! pres]vation
 ( _m ( !m4  ,= a consid]able numb] (   

important & int]e/+ poems1 lett]s1 &    
n>ratives are only kn[n to u f s*ool    
ex]cise-books4  ,! pupil at ! ',*amb] ( 
,in/ruction' wrote out ab\t ?ree pages (
 ^! ea* day1 z a means ( improv+ 8      
writ+1 z a model ( /yle 9 composition1 &
 = purposes ( edification4  ,^! ex]cises
 #bb ab\nd 9 errors ( spell+ & gramm>1  
hav+ sometimes ! ma/]'s corrections     
elegantly writt5 above 9 r$4  ,z may be 
imag9$1 a s*oolboy's scrawl ov] ?ree    
?\s& ye>s old is no easy ?+ to          
translate2 b faute de mieux !           
,egyptologi/ welcomes any v]sion1 ev5 ! 
mo/ b>b>\s4 ,=tunately1 ! ,,ms4 f :i* ^!
 translations come is n ( ?is k9d2 a    
detail$ description ( x may int]e/ "s ( 
my read]s4  ,! ,prisse ,papyrus1 :i* is 
well kn[n by "n & a few extracts to all 
p]sons conv]sant ) ,egyptian matt]s1 0  
acquir$ 9 ,egypt by ,m4 ,prisse         
d',av5nes1 a ,fr5* ar*aeologi/ (        
di/9ction1 & publi%$ by him 9 #ahdg4e ,!
 exact place ( its discov]y is unkn[n4  
,m4  ,prisse is said to h b\ght x ( "o (

 ! fellahn :om he employ$ to make       
excavations at ! burial-gr\nd ( ,!bes4  
,?is man pret5d$ t he _h no k ( its     
f9d+1 z he 0 try+ to sell x = a fri5d4  
,x is believ$ t x 0 actually tak5 by !  
,arab f ! tomb ( "o ( ! ,k+s ',entef2#f 
b ?is is n c]ta94  ,if x 71 x w\ld      
p]haps enable u to fix a t]m9us ad que1 
= ! writ+ ( ?is copy1 al?\gh tombs (t5  
conta9 objects ( lat] date4  ,! papyrus 
0 pres5t$ 9 ab\t #ahdg1 by ,m4 ,prisse1 
to ! #bc ,biblio!que ,nationale 79 ^?   
days ! ,biblio!que ,royale7 at ,p>is1   
:]e x /ill is1 divid$ & glaz$ 9 ! usual 
mann]4  ,spread out flat1 x measures    
ab\t #bc ft4 #g 941 ) an av]age height (
 #e #g_/h 941 :i* is ab\t ! usual height
 ( papyri ( ! ,elev5? & ,twelf?         
,dyna/ies4  ,x conta9s at pres5t eighte5
 pages ( heavy & bold black & r$ writ+1 
9 ! s-call$ hi]atic "*4 ,at fir/ sight x
 appe>s to be 9 p]fect pres]vation1 be+ 
entirely free f ! cracks & decay :i* m> 
_m f9e manuscripts ( f> lat] date2 b an 
exam9ation ( ! cont5ts %[s t an unkn[n  

quantity has be5 torn (f f ! comm5cem5t4
  ,orig9ally ! roll conta9$ at lea/ two 
books1 ( :i* we h ! latt] "p ( "o & !   
:ole ( ! o!r4  ,betwe5 ^! !re is a blank
 space ( "s #ec 94  ,! *>act]s are      
cle>ly & c>efully made1 b are n always  
correct1 z ?\gh ! copyi/ _h a badly     
writt5 or v cursive copy be=e him1 & 0 n
 always sure ( 8 spell+4  ,! fir/ ( ^!  
books1 ( :i* only ! la/ two pages rema9 
to u1 is a treatise on deportm5t1 & is  
"h call$ ! ,in/ruction ( ,ke'gemni4  ,x 
has always be5 attribut$ to ?is p]son   
s9ce its discov]y1 b exam9ation ( z mu* 
( ! book z exi/s w %[ t x is n said to h
 be5 writt5 by him4  ,because #bd 8 is !
 only "n m5tion$1 ,egyptologi/s h       
conclud$ t he is ! au?or4  ,! unnam$    
,vizi]1 :o call$ 8 *ildr5 to him1 c     
h>dly be ,ke'gemni1 :o 0 n rais$ to !   
rank ( ,vizi] & ,gov]nor ( a city until 
aft]w>ds4  ,ke'gemni may well h be5 a   
son ( ! au?or4  ,?is is n ( mat]ial     
importance1 h[ev]1 z ! date ( writ+ is  
giv5 z ! end ( ! reign ( ,heuni1 ! la/  

,k+ ( ! ,?ird ,dyna/y1 :o di$ ab\t #ciih
 ,b4,c4  ,?is book1 !n1 :i* argues a    
society ( "s ref9em5t1 is1 s f> z x     
goes1 ! olde/ 9 ! _w4  ,aft] a long     
/ret* ( blank papyrus1 f :i* a ?ird book
 has p]haps be5 eras$1 we come ^u !     
,in/ruction ( ,ptah-hotep 9 its         
entirety1 divid$ into sections by r$    
writ+1 z a=esaid4#g ,9 ?is1 also1 we get
 a def9ite date1 = we le>n 9 ! op5+ l9es
 t its au?or 7or compil]7 liv$ 9 ! reign
 ( ,k+ ,issi4 ,n[ ,issi 0 ! la/ rul] b  
"o ( ! ,fif? ,dyna/y1 & rul$ =ty-f\r    
ye>s1 f ab\t #cehj to #cecf ,b4,c4  ,?us
 we may take ab\t #ceej z ! p]iod (     
,ptah-hotep4  ,( ^! two k+s !re is h>dly
 any?+ to say4  ,heuni is only kn[n to u
 by m5tion ( 8 "n2 we h no record ( any 
act ( 84  #be ,( ,issi ! only exploit t 
rema9s is ?is3 t he s5t 8 ,treasur]1    
,be'wrd$1 to ,somalil&#h to obta9 = him 
a c]ta9 k9d ( dw>f2 ?is ! ,treasur]     
br\ght back1 & receiv$ mu* rew>d !re=4  
,t is all t is left ( ! reigns ( two    
k+s1 :o rul$ long1 :o p]haps rul$       

greatly & wisely1 hav+ j cause to hope t
 _! fame & ! report ( _! good de$s might
 nev] pass away4  ,su* is ! fate ( k+s4 
,! copy ( ^! ,in/ructions t we h1 ! only
 complete copy1#i is f> lat] ?an ! lat] 
( ^! dates4  ,an exam9ation ( ! writ+   
%[s t x is n e>li] ?an ! ,elev5?        
,dyna/y1 & is probably ( ! ,twelf?4#aj  
,m ?an ?is _c be said2 :]e x 0 writt51  
by :om1 & :51 are n /at$1 z !y are 9 _m 
cases4  ,! writ+ lacks ! f9e regul>ity (
 t ( ! pr(essional scribes ( ! ,twelf?  
,dyna/y1 & has _m po9ts ( div]g5ce      
!refrom2 b ! papyrus is assign$ by ! be/
 judges to ?is p]iod4  ,?is gives x an  
antiquity ( ab\t f\r ?\s& five hundr$   
ye>s2 & x looks good to la/ z long aga91
 if only x be n exam9$ ov]-mu* nor      
br\ght out into ! light too (t54  #bf ,x
 is z fre% & readable z 9 ! ye> aft] x 0
 writt54  ,w ! books ( our "t la/ "o-t5?
 s long8  ,x is n )\t a feel+ ( awe1 ev5
 ( sadness1 t "o ) any s5se ( ! wond] ( 
?+s gazes = ! fir/ "t on ! old book1 &  
?9ks ( all x has surviv$4  ,s _m empires

 h aris5 & gone d[n s9ce ^? words 7     
p5n$1 s _m great & t]rible ?+s h be54   
,& we are =tunate inde$ 9 hav+ su* a    
book z ?is ( ,ptah-hotep = ! mo/ anci5t 
complete lit]>y "w extant4  ,= n by any 
magical texts1 or hymns & pray]s1 %\ld  
we be s well %[n ! conditions ( t e>ly  
"t2 b our morali/1 by advanc+ c\nsels ( 
p]fection = e cont+5cy1 has left u a    
fai?ful record ( 8 age4  ,! veil (      
five-&-a-half ?\s& ye>s is r5t1 & we are
 met ) a vivid & a fasc9at+ picture ( ! 
dome/ic & social life ( ! ',old ,k+dom4'
  ,we read ( ! wife1 :o mu/ be treat$   
k9dly at all co/s2 ! g5ial g5]osity ( ! 
ri* man1 & ! sc[l+ boor1 a ?orn 9 ! side
 ( 8 fri5ds & relations1 ! laugh+-/ock (
 all m52 ! unqu5*able talk]s ( e /ation 
9 life1 :o argue high1 :o argue l[1 :o  
also argue r\nd ab\t !m1 z common z n[ 9
 ! ,ea/1 & ! tru/$ c\ncillor1 weigh+ e  
^w2 ! ob/9ate ignoramus :o sees #bg     
ev]y?+ inv]t$1 li/5+ op5-m\!d to !      
disjo9t$ gossip ( ^? ne> him1 & ! s*ol>1
 conv]s+ freely ) le>n$ & unle>n$ alike1

 recognis+ t1 measur$ aga9/ ! inf9ite   
possibilities ( k & skill1 we are all   
mu* ( ! same /ature2 ! ma/] ( ! e/ate or
 prov9ce1 treat$ ) inf9ite respect by 8 
subord9ates 9 rank & weal?1 & ! paid    
s]vants t are nev] satisfi$1 :o leave   
aft] pres5ts h be5 made !m2 ! h>d-work+ 
cl]k :o ca/s acc\nts all day1 & !       
tradesm5 :o w p]haps give y cr$it :5    
money is de>1 if y h previ\sly made     
fri5ds ( !m2 ! well-br$ d9]-out1 lightly
 pass+ on 8 fav\rite di%1 cont5t+       
himself ) pla9 f>e1 & ! g\rm& :o visits 
8 fri5ds at meal-times1 dep>t+ only :5 !
 l>d] is entirely exhau/$4  ,n only d we
 f9d su* *>act]s z ^! 9 ,ptah-hotep's   
h&-book1 b int]e/+ sc5es are br\ght ne> 
to u by ! writ+-re$ ( t primaeval       
,*e/]field4  ,we f9d ourselves tak+     
supp] at ! table ( a great man4  ,8     
subord9ates sit r\nd1 sc>cely d>+ to    
raise _! eyes f _! food1 n speak+ to _! 
ho/ until spok5 to4  ,he s]ves ! food t 
is be=e him accord+ to 8 lik+ = ea*     
gue/2 & ! less fav\r$ f9d solace 9 !    

reflection t ev5 ! di/ribution ( food is
 #bh accord+ to ,provid5ce4  ,we pass   
on4  ,n[ we are 9 ! hall ( c\ncil ) !   
o!r ov]se]s & (ficials ( ! prov9ce1 &   
our ov]lord presid+4  ,we notice )      
a/oni%m5t ! extreme solemnity & /rict   
obs]vance ( cu/om & prec$5ce 9 ?is      
ar*aic p]iod4 ,_m ( ^? :o h met report  
on ! matt]s "u _! *>ge1 & o!rs debate on
 !m4  ,! "o n[ speak+ is discuss+ a     
trade ab\t :i* he kn[s no?+1 & an exp]t 
rises & makes v %ort "w ( 8 oppon5t's   
argum5ts4  ,n[ we are among "s p divid+ 
up prop]ty4  ,"o ( !m has tri$1 ( c\rse1
 to bully 8 fri5ds into giv+ him m ?an 8
 due %>e1 &1 hav+ fail$1 leaves ! h\se 9
 a rage4  ,he w regret x lat]4  ,& s on4
   ,no?+ def9ite is kn[n conc]n+ ^! two 
nobles beyond :at is said ( !m 9 _!     
works4  ,a f9e tomb ( a c]ta9 ,ke'gemni 
exi/s at ,memphis2 8 titles1 s f> z c be
 asc]ta9$1#aa are3 ,judge ( ! ,high     
,c\rt3 ,gov]nor ( ! ,l& unto its ,limit1
 ,s\? & ,nor?3 ,director ( e ,comm&4    
,he has sometimes be5 suppos$ to be     

id5tical ) our ,ke'gemni2 #bi b ,i am   
assur$ by ^? mo/ compet5t to judge t ?is
 tomb _c be e>li] ?an ! ,fif? ,dyna/y 7a
 good ?ree hundr$ ye>s f ! date assign$ 
to ! morali/71 s t ! !ory t !y are "o   
p]son may be dismiss$ z highly          
improbable4  ,no o!r p]son ( ! "n is    
kn[n4  ,! position is mu* ! same )      
,ptah-hotep4  ,!re are ne> ,memphis !   
tombs ( sev]al nobles ( ?is "n1 ( :om   
two liv$ 9 ! reign ( ,issi2 & 9 ?is     
case1 aga91 x has be5 assum$ t "o#ab (  
^! two mu/ be ! writ] ( ! ,in/ruction4  
,b 9 nei!r in/ance d ! titles co9cide ) 
or include ^? assign$ to him4  ,! highe/
 title :i* he be>s1 ,elde/ ,son ( ! ,k+1
 does n any:]e appe> 9 ^! tombs4  ,x is 
true t "o ( ^! contempor>ies 0 ,h]$it>y 
,*ief2 b we "k t ,ptah-hotep 0 a common 
"n at ?is "t1 & 9 ! abs5ce ( m c]ta9    
pro( x w be well to ab/a9 f !           
id5tification ( l names ^u insuffici5t  
gr\nds4  ,?us x is only by ! *ance      
discov]y ( ?is #cj scroll t ^! two      
pr9ces ( old "t1 ^: bodies are bl[n ab\t

 ! des]t du/ ^! _m c5turies1 are secur$ 
f utt] oblivion2 m5 'su* z did be> rule 
9 _! k+doms1 m5 r5[n$ = _! p[]1 giv+    
c\nsel by _! und]/&+1 & decl>+          
prophecies3 ,lead]s ( ! p by _! c\nsels1
 & by _! k ( le>n+ meet = ! p1 wise &   
eloqu5t 9 _! in/ructions4'  ,& aga9/ su*
 z ^!1 t f remote ye>s 'h left a "n     
beh9d !m1 t _! praises might be         
report$1' h[ _m are !re ':i* h no       
memorial2 :o are p]i%$1 z ?\gh !y _h    
nev] be52 & are become z ?\gh !y _h nev]
 be5 born2 & _! *ildr5 aft] !m4'#ac   ,i
 _h int5d$ to make a detail$ analysis ( 
! moral s5se ( ,ptah-hotep & ,ke'gemni1 
b x appe>s unnecess>y2 s9ce !y give _!  
advice s cle>ly & simply1 !y may safely 
be left to speak = !mselves4  ,b z      
especially notewor?y ,i w\ld po9t to !  
graci\s tol]ance ( ignorance enjo9$ 9   
#a 7,ptah-hotep71 & ! f9e reason giv5 = 
t injunction1 9 contra/ ) ! scorn       
express$ = ! ob/9ate fool 7,ph4 #dj72 ! 
c>e due to a wife 7,ph4 #ba71 :i* is 9  
signal contra/ to ! cu/om ( o!r ,ea/]n  

nations 9 ?is #ca respect2#ad ! great   
/ress laid on filial duties 7,ph4 #ch1  
#ci1 #da1 #db1 #dc72 ! en?usiasm =      
ob$i5ce1 express$ 9 a j>gon ( puns 7,ph4
 #ch71 :i*1 once ! high-wat]m>k ( /yle  
among ,egyptian lit]ati1 has long s9ce  
lo/ its sav\r2 ! int]e/+ matt] on mann]s
 at table 7,kg4 #b1 #c1 ,ph4 #g1 #i71 9 
society 7,kg4 #d1 ,ph4 #ad1 #ah1 #bj1   
#cd71 & 9 (ficial positions 7,ph4 #e1   
#h1 #ac1 #ae1 #af1 #ag1 #bd1 #bh74  ,a  
r\gh classification includ+ _m sections 
is "h giv53  ,duties t[>d sup]iors 7,ph4
 #b1 #g1 #h1 #aj1 #af1 #bg1 #ca74       
,duties t[>d equals 7#c1 #f1 #ad1 #ah1  
#bj1 #bf1 #bi1 #cc1 #ce1 #cg74  ,duties 
t[>d inf]iors 7#a1 #d1 #e1 #af1 #ag1    
#bb74  ,! :ole tea*+ resolves into !    
maxim1 ,be good1 & y w be happy2 n at   
all 9 ! s5se t virtue is its own        
rew>d--,i d n ?9k t t w\ld h seem$ an   
adequate return to ,ptah-hotep--b 9 !   
s5se ( mat]ial welf>e rew>d+1 z a matt] 
( c\rse1 an hon\rable life4 ,foll[+ 8   
reason+1 if a man be ob$i5t z a son1    

punctili\s z a s]vant1 g5]\s & g5tle z a
 ma/]1 & c\rte\s z a fri5d1 !n all good 
?+s %all fall to him1 he %all rea* a    
gre5 old age hon\r$ by ! ,k+1 & 8 memory
 %all be long 9 ! l&4  ,?is !ory1 :i* is
 n #cb f\nd satisfactory 9 our day1 is  
insi/$ on by mo/ ( ! anci5t morali/s1 :o
 appe> to reg>d x1 n z a sub/itute =    
consci5ce1 b r z a raison d'tre or      
ju/ification !re(4  ,yet1 c5turies be=e 
a ,k+ ( ,israel _h se5 all ?+s t are1 & 
f\nd !m vanity1 a ,k+ ( ,egypt _h left x
 on record t he _h done all good ?+s = 8
 subjects1 & t '!re 0 no satisfaction   
!re94'   ,x has be5 said ) "s tru? (    
codes ( morals & laws t :at is omitt$ is
 almo/ z important z :at is includ$4  ,b
 we mu/ n c>ry ?is too f>2 we %\ld be   
fooli% inde$ did we ass]t t ^? ?+s      
omitt$ f su* a code z ,ptah-hotep's 7 n 
practis$ or n held to be important 9 8  
day4  ,= example1 he 'kn[s no?+'--z a   
,high] ,critic w\ld say--( k9dness to   
animals2 b we "k f _m ?+s t ! ,egyptians
 treat$ animals k9dly & made mu* ( !m z 

pets4  ,9 ! v tomb ( t ,ptah-hotep      
m5tion$ above1#ae :o may be our au?or1  
is depict$ ! br++ ( ?ree dogs & a tame  
monkey to him :ile he is dress+2        
possibly s t he may fe$ !m himself4  ,& 
?is k9dly feel+ obta9$ ?r\gh\t ,egyptian
 hi/ory4  ,!y treat$ animals m z 'dumb  
fri5ds' 9 ^? days ?an might h be5 #cc a 
priori expect$1 & m1 p]haps1 ?an any o!r
 nation ( antiquity4  ,aga91 he 'kn[s   
no?+' ( duties to ! "m1 al?\gh he is s  
insi/5t on duties to ! fa!r2 b ! high   
position ( wom5 & _! matri>*al          
privileges oppose any d$uction t        
,egyptian mann]s 7 some:at to seek 9 ?is
 direction4  ,ke'gemni says ( !         
unsociable man t he is a grief to 8 "m1 
& ano!r morali/ ( unc]ta9 date 7p]haps  
,twelf? ,dyna/y1 ab\t ,b4,c4 #bgjj71    
nam$ ',eney1 is explicit on ?is matt]4  
,he says to 8 son1 ',i gave !e ?y "m1 %e
 t bore !e ) mu* suff]+4444  ,%e plac$  
!e at ! ,*amb] ( ,in/ruction = ! sake ( 
?9e in/ruction 9 books2 %e 0 con/ant to 
!e daily1 hav+ loaves & be] 9 h] h\se4  

,:5 ?\ art gr[n1 & ha/ tak5 to !e a     
wife1 be+ ma/] 9 ?y h\se1 ca/ ?9e eyes  
on ! "o t gave !e bir? & provid$ !e )   
all good ?+s1 z did ?y "m4  ,let h] n   
reproa* !e1 le/ %e lift up h] h&s to !  
,god1 & ,he he> h] pray]4'  ,&1 mo/     
rem>kable ( all omissions1 !re is no?+  
said z to duties to ! ,gods4  ,9 ,egypt1
 ^: ,gods are beyond c\nt+1 :]e almo/   
ev]ybody 0 a prie/1 ,ptah-hotep--himself
 a ',holy ,fa!r' & ',belov$ ( !         
,god'--has no ^w to say on religi\s     
obligations1 devot+ 8 "w entirely to !  
pr9ciples ( *>ity & duty to "o's        
neighb\r4  ,x is #cd seem+ly suffici5t  
to him t "o d ! "r 9 ?is _w1 )\t ?9k+   
ov]mu* ab\t ! o!r4 ,?is is ! m curi\s 9 
t o!r writ]s ( ! same class h _m        
injunctions reg>d+ wor%ip & sacrifice2 &
 s complete is 8 res]ve t\*+ ?is matt]1 
s important 9 ! eyes ( o!r ,egyptians1 t
 x is easy to believe t x 0 int5tional4 
,we may ev5 disc]n 9 him a protagoni/ ( 
! mod]n ',e?ical ,s*ool1' ^: adh]5ts may
 be int]e/$ to f9d _! views implicitly  

held s long ago4  ,not)/&+ ?is s+ul>ity1
 he is by no means unm9dful ( ,deity4   
,we notice t he has occasion to speak   
sev]al times ( '! ,god'#af 9 ,8 relation
 to humanity & human affairs4  ,if we   
collect ^! ref]5ces to ! ,god1 we %all  
f9d t ! foll[+ qualities are attribut$  
to ,him4  ,he rew>ds dilig5ce 7#i1 #aj7 
& puni%es s9 7#f1 #aj2 also ,kg4 #e72   
,he is ! giv] ( good ?+s 7,ph4 #bb1 #cj1
 #dc71 disp5ses fate & preorda9s ev5ts  
7#f1 #g1 #i1 #bf71 loves ,8 creation    
7#bf71 obs]ves m5's actions 7#aj71      
desires !m to be fruitful & multiply    
7#ab74  ,all ?is is 9 complete accord ) 
! belief ( o!r religions--includ+       
,*ri/ianity--reg>d+ ! ,godhead4  ,& "h  
we t\* ano!r pleas+ *>act]i/ic ( ?is mo/
 anci5t ( books--its ca?olic _s &       
disreg>d ( ^? #ce my?ological & esot]ic 
riddles t mo/ ,egyptian works prop\nd to
 u cont9ually4 ,x w be notic$ t '! ,god'
 is n any:]e m5tion$ by "n4 ,osiris 7#e7
 & ,horus 7#da7 are allud$ to1 b only   
hi/orically1 9 respect ( _! rule ^u e>?1

 n z pres5t p[]s4  ,! reason is ?is1 t  
at t "t ! ,gods1 ev5 ! great ,gods1 7   
only local1 t is to say1 _! wor%ip 0    
conf9$ to c]ta9 t[ns or di/ricts        
7'nomes'71 & beyond ! b\nd>ies ( ^! _!  
names lo/ t p[] & influ5ce :i* !y ex]t$ 
9 _! peculi> prov9ces4  ,a book1 !re=e1 
:i* spoke ( "o ,god only--by "n--w\ld h 
be5 f\nd mu* limit$ z to popul>ity &    
use4 ,h5ce ! old morali/s & didactic    
writ]s1 :atev] ,god !y might !mselves   
wor%ip1 =ebore to m5tion ,him1 s9ce by  
_m read]s ,he w\ld n be recognis$ z     
p>am\nt2 !y wrote in/ead1 ',! ,god1' t  
is1 '! ,god ( y\r allegiance1 :oev] ,he 
may be4'  ,?us1 7 ! read] a native (    
,heliopolis1 8 ,god w\ld be ,atmu1 !    
,sett+ ,sun2 ( ,memphis1 ,ptah1 !       
,reveal]2 ( ,h]mopolis1 ,?o?1 ,ma/] (   
,div9e ,words & ,*ief ( ! ,eight4  ,x 0 
= ?is reason t ! unkn[n au?or ( :at is  
call$ ! ',negative ,confession'#ag makes
 ! deceas$ say1 ',i h n scorn$ ! #cf    
,god ( my t[n4'  ,&1 inde$1 s simply &  
purely does ,ptah-hotep speak ( ! ,god t

 ! mod]n read] c1 )\t ! lea/ degradation
 ( 8 ideals1 consid] ! au?or z ref]r+ to
 ! ,deity ( mono!ism1 & if he be (      
,*ri/5dom1 read ,god2 if ( ,islam1 read 
,allah2 if ( ,jewry1 ,jehovah4#ah   ,no 
d\bt ! gulf fix$ betwe5 tea*+ & practice
 0 z great !n z n[4  ,we h ! tea*+1 we  
"k t ! tea*+ 0 curr5t all ov] ,egypt 9  
v>i\s =ms1 b ( ! practice we "k v       
little4  ,human nature be+ mu* ! same at
 all times & places1 we mu/ bew>e (     
measur+ ! "o by ! o!r1 ! unkn[n by !    
kn[n1 & mu/ be cont5t to take su*       
c\nsels z %[+ ! ,egyptian--    ,n :at he
 01 b :at he %\ld h be54  ,x is e/abli%$
 t !y 7 a k9dly1 peace-lov+ p1 g5ial &  
c\rtly2 b :e!r law-abid+ is ano!r matt]4
  ,we "k no?+ ab\t _! laws1 b we "k #cg 
t ! law-c\rts 7 busy1 & t legal (ficials
 7 num]\s2 & we "k1 fur!r1 t _!         
duplicity & lack ( /raight=w>dness 7    
prov]bial among ! ,greeks & ,romans1 &  
p]si/s to ?is day4  ,i h not$ above !   
resemblance ( ! ,egyptian ,in/ructions  
to ! ,jewi% didactic books 7,prov]bs &  

,ecclesia/es 9 ! ,old ,te/am5t1 ,wisdom 
( ,solomon & ,ecclesia/icus 9 !         
,apocrypha72 ?is w be obvi\s to all     
read]s4  ,comp>e1 e4g41 ! op5+ (        
,ptah-hotep 7,b7 ) ! op5+ ( ,prov]bs4   
,x is n necess>y to po9t out all !      
p>allels 9 detail4   ,i come1 la/ly1 to 
speak ( o!r translations4#ai ,! fir/    
into any language 0 t ( ! ,rev4 ,d4 ,i4 
,hea?1 ,vic> ( ,brad+1 ,isle ( ,wight4  
,?is v]sion1 :i* fir/ appe>$ 9 #ahef1 0 
ru9$ by ! translator's !ory t ! ,prisse 
,papyrus conta9$ ref]5ces to ! ,exodus1 
& 0 writt5 by ! ',%eph]d-,k+1' ,aphobis4
  ,h[ he obta9$ t "n f ,ptah-hotep1 h[  
he read ! ,exodus into 8 book1 or h[ he 
got ?ree-f\r?s ( 8 translation1 x is n  
possible to say4  ,writt5 9 a /yle :i*  
is 9 itself a matt] = deciph]m5t1 x is  
full ( absurdities & gratuit\s mi/akes1 
& #ch is entirely wor?less4  ,x is "o m 
in/ance ( ! lam5table results t arise :5
 a p]son ) a preconceiv$ ,biblical !ory 
comes into contact ) ,egyptian records4 
,9 ! foll[+ ye> ,m4 ,*abas did "p ( !   

papyrus into ,fr5*1 &1 z might be       
expect$ ( an ,egyptologi/ ( su*         
atta9m5ts1 8 v]sion 0 inf9itely m       
accurate ?an ! =ego+4  ,9 #ahfi ,h]r    
,lau? made a translation--also          
p>tial--into ,lat91 & 9 #ahhd2 ,m4      
,philippe ,virey publi%$ a c>eful /udy &
 complete translation ( bo? books4  ,8  
r5d]+#bj 0 subsequ5tly translat$ into   
,engli% & publi%$ 7) "s alt]ations7 9   
,records ( ! ,pa/1 #ahij1 & has rema9$ !
 only complete translation 9 ,engli%4   
,x has be5 tak5 bodily 7ev5 ! footnotes7
 into ,my]'s ,olde/ ,books 9 ! ,_w1 &   
has be5 put into *>m+ v]se by ,canon    
,rawnsley 9 8 ,notes = ! ,nile4  ,?us x 
appe>s to be1 9 a s5se1 ! /&>d v]sion4  
,nev]!less1 x leaves v mu* to be desir$ 
9 po9t ( accuracy1 al?\gh ! g5]al s5se (
 ea* section is usually caught4 ,( lat] 
ye>s ,mr4 ,griffi? has done important "w
 on ?is text1 & ,i am indebt$ to 8      
translations = sev]al read+s4  ,z reg>ds
 ! v]sion "h (f]$1 ,i w only say t x has
 be5 done ) consid]able c>e1 #ci )\t    

prejudice1 &1 x is ?\ght1 9 accordance )
 sci5tific me?ods ( translation2 & t x  
has be5 comp>$ ) all previ\s r5d]+s1 & w
 be f\nd to be1 on ! :ole1 ! mo/        
accurate t has yet appe>$4  ,& n[ ,i w  
leave ,ptah-hotep to speak = himself4   
,x may be ?\ght t he has be5 introduc$  
at too great l5g?2 b ,i w\ld po9t out t 
8 book has be5 /rangely ov]look$ by !   
educat$ public hi!rto1 al?\gh x w\ld be 
difficult to ov]-e/imate its importance1
 to lit]ature z ! olde/ complete book   
kn[n1 to e?ics & !ology z ! e>lie/      
expression ( ! my/]y we "n ,consci5ce1 &
 to lov]s ( antiquity z "o ( ! mo/      
in/ructive & t\*+ relics ( a p & a p[] t
 once 7 great & are n[ br\ght to no?+4  
,by a happy *ance ! words ( our sage h  
be5 ju/ifi$1 9 t he said1 ',no ^w t ha? 
"h be5 set d[n %all cease out ( ! l& =  
ev]4'  ,w\ld inde$ t we _h m ( su* books
 z ?is1 :]eby we may a little light5 !  
d>kness t lies beh9d ! ris+s ( a million
 suns2 & le>n h[ little ! human he>t1 & 
! elem5ts ( human int]c\rse1 alt]       

?r\gh\t ! ages4  ,& :at ( ! o!r writ]s (
 t "t1 ^: works & ^: v names are        
entirely swept away8  ,to ?is !re is no 
bett] answ] made ?an 9 ! lam5tation made
 by ! h>p] close ^u five #dj ?\s& ye>s  
ago1 :i* 0 writt5 up 9 ! tomb ( ,k+     
',entef3  ,^? t built !m tombs1 he sang1
 h n[ no re/+-place4 ,lo6 :at ( _! de$s8
  ,i h he>d ! words ( ,yemhotep & (     
,h>d$ef1 ^: say+s m5 repeat cont9ually4 
,behold6 :]e are _! abodes8  ,_! walls  
are ov]-?r[n1 & _! places are n1 ev5 z  
?\gh !y _h n be54'  ,! burd5 ( ,egypt4  
,,battiscombe ,g4 ,,gunn4  #c1 ,,p>k    
,,hill ,,road1   ,,croydon4    #a ,mu*  
+5uity has be5 exp5d$ to %[ t ,egyptian 
mann]s & cu/oms1 books1 & o!r ?+s1 7 mu*
 ! same z our own1 z ?\gh ! suppos$     
simil>ity reflect$ any cr$it ei!r on !m 
or on u4  ,except 9 cu/oms :i* are      
common to all times & places1 z dr9k+   
be]1 writ+ love-lett]s1 mak+ wills1 go+ 
to s*ool1 & o!r ?+s antec$5tly probable1
 ! ,egyptian life c %[ v few p>allels to
 ! life ( to-day4  #b ,! monum5ts leave 

no d\bt ( ?is4  ,p5 & ink 7 us$ 9 !     
,fir/ ,dyna/y1 & spee* _h be5 r$uc$ to  
visible signs be=e t4  #c ,ab\t ,b4,c4  
#aggj4  ,9 all ,egyptian dates giv5 9   
?is book ,i foll[ ,pr(essor ,petrie's   
*ronology4  #d ,^! are r\nd figures1 (  
c\rse1 & 9 ! case ( ,solomon & ,moses   
traditional dates4  ,mod]n criticism    
places ,g5esis & ,prov]bs mu* lat] ?an  
#aejj & #ajjj ,b4,c4  #e ,see ,app5dix =
 ! lit]ature ( ?is papyrus4  #f ,^! 7   
k+s ( ! ,elev5? ,dyna/y1 ab\t #bihf     
,b4,c4  #g ,9 ! translation ^! divisions
 are indicat$1 = purposes ( ref]5ce1 by 
numb]s & lett]s1 :i* are n1 ( c\rse1 9 !
 orig9al4  ,s also 9 ! ,in/ruction (    
,am5emh'et 7,app5dix74  #h ,pw5et3 !    
id5tification is n c]ta94  #i ,fragm5ts 
( ano!r are 9 ! ,briti% ,museum4  #aj ,x
 has be5 ?\ght to be z late z !         
,sev5te5? 7ab\t #afjj ,b4,c471 b !      
balance ( op9ion fav\rs ! above-m5tion$ 
p]iod4  #aa ,! inscriptions & sculptures
 f ?is tomb h n yet be5 publi%$1 b a "w 
deal+ ) x w %ortly appe>4  ,! above     

titles1 except+ ! fir/1 are f ,lepsius1 
,d5kml] aus gypt5 und ?iopi51 ,ab?4     
,,ii4 #dh1 ,b]l91 #ahdi-fh4  #ab ,call$ 
,ptah-hotep ,i4 by ,egyptologi/s4  ,= a 
description ( 8 tomb1 see ,m>iette1 ,a41
 ,les ,ma/abas de l',anci5 ,empire1     
,p>is1 #ahhi1 ,d4 #fb4  ,= ! o!r        
,ptah-hotep "u ,issi1 see ,quibell1 ,j4 
,e41 & ,griffi?1 ,f4 ,l41 ,egyptian     
,rese>* ,acc\nt2 ,! ,ramesseum & ! ,tomb
 ( ,ptah-,hotep1 ,london1 #ahih4  ,also 
,davies1 ,n4 de ,g41 & ,griffi?1 ,f4    
,l41 ,egypt ,exploration ,fund2 ,!      
,ma/aba ( ,ptahhetep & ,akhe!tep at     
,saqq>a1 #b vols41 ,london1 #aijj1      
#aija4  ,! little figure on ! cov] ( ?is
 book is f ?is tomb4  #ac ,! ,wisdom ( !
 ,son ( ,sira*1 *ap4 xliv4  #ad ,!      
,egyptians 7 monogami/s at ?is "t1 & !  
wife enjoy$ social equality ) h] husb&4 
#ae ,page #bi1 footnote4  #af ,nt]4  #ag
 ,?is is an arbitr>y "n n exi/+ 9 !     
orig9al4  ,x w\ld be bett] nam$ ',!     
,decl>ation ( ,innoc5ce4'  #ah ,x has   
be5 ?\ght by _m ,egyptologi/s t '! ,god'

 m5tion$ 9 ?is & o!r texts is a nameless
 mono!i/ic ab/raction transc5d+ all nam$
 gods4  ,al?\gh ?is !ory has ! support (
 _m great names1 ,i v5ture to say t !   
evid5ce = su* an important doctr9e is 9 
! highe/ degree unsatisfactory4  #ai ,! 
books m5tion$ "h are set =? 9 detail 9 !
 ,bibliography4  #bj ,only (            
,ptah-hotep4     #da  ,,! ,,in/ruction  
,,( ,,ptah-,,hotep  ,! ,e?ics (         
,argum5t--,mann]s = ,gue/s--,f ,fa!r to 
,son--,a ,j ,judge--,! ,treatm5t (      
,s]vants--,duties ( ! ,great--,! ,te/ ( 
,fri5d%ip--,! ,beauty ( ,ob$i5ce--,"o   
,g5]ation to ,ano!r--,:om ! ,k+ ,hon\re?
   ,! ,in/ruction ( ! ,gov]nor ( 8      
,city1 ! ,vizi]1 ,ptah-hotep1 9 ! ,reign
 ( ! ,k+ ( ,upp] & ,l[] ,egypt1 ,issi1  
liv+ = ev]1 to ! end ( ,"t4   ,a4  ,!   
,gov]nor ( 8 ,city1 ! ,vizi]1           
,ptah-hotep1 he said3 ',o ,pr9ce1 my    
,"l1 ! end ( life is at h&2 old age     
desc5de? ^u me2 feebl5ess come?1 &      
*ildi%ness is r5ew$4  ,he t is old lie? 
d[n 9 mis]y e day4  ,! eyes are small2 !

 e>s are deaf4 ,en]gy is dim9i%$1 ! he>t
 ha? no re/4  ,! m\? is sil5t1 & he     
speake? no ^w2 ! he>t /oppe?1 & he      
rememb]e? n ye/]day4  ,! bones are      
pa9ful ?r\gh\t ! body2 good turne? unto 
evil4  ,all ta/e dep>te?4  ,^! ?+s doe? 
old age = mank9d1 be+ evil 9 all ?+s4   
,! nose is /opp$1 & he brea!? n =       
weakness 7871 :e!r /&+ or sitt+4        
',comm& me1 ?y s]vant1 !re=e1 to make   
ov] my pr9cely au?ority to my son4  ,let
 me speak unto him ! words ( !m t he>k5 
to ! c\nsel ( ! m5 ( old "t2 ^? t #db   
he>k5$ unto ! gods4  ,i pray !e1 let ?is
 ?+ be done1 t s9 may be bani%$ f among 
p]sons ( und]/&+1 t ?\ may enlight5 !   
l&s4'  ,said ! ,maje/y ( ?is ,god3#a    
',in/ruct him1 !n1 9 ! words ( old "t2  
may he be a wond] unto ! *ildr5 (       
pr9ces1 t !y may ent] & he>k5 ) him4    
,make /raight all _! he>ts2 & disc\rse )
 him1 )\t caus+ we>9ess4'   ,b4  ,"h    
beg9 ! prov]bs ( fair spee*1 spok5 by ! 
,h]$it>y ,*ief1 ! ,holy ,fa!r1#b ,belov$
 ( ! ,god1 ! ,elde/ ,son ( ! ,k+1 ( 8   

body1 ! ,gov]nor ( 8 ,city1 ! ,vezi]1   
,ptah-hotep1 :5 in/ruct+ ! ignorant 9 ! 
k ( exactness 9 fair-speak+2 ! glory (  
him t obeye?1 ! %ame ( him t            
transgresse? !m4  ,he said unto 8 son3  
#a4  ,be n pr\d because ?\ art le>n$2 b 
disc\rse ) ! ignorant man1 z ) ! sage4  
,= no limit c be set to skill1 nei!r is 
!re any craftsman t possesse? full      
advantages4  ,fair spee* is m r>e ?an ! 
em]ald t is f\nd by slave-maid5s on !   
pebbles4  #b4  ,if ?\ f9d an argu]      
talk+1 "o t is well dispos$ & wis] ?an  
?\1 let ?9e arms #dc fall1 b5d ?y       
back1#c be n angry ) him if he agree 787
 n ) !e4  ,refra9 f speak+ evilly2      
oppose him n at any "t :5 he speake?4   
,if he address !e z "o ignorant ( !     
matt]1 ?9e humbl5ess %all be> away 8    
cont5tions4  #c4  ,if ?\ f9d an argu]   
talk+1 ?y fell[1 "o t is )9 ?y rea*1    
keep n sil5ce :5 he sai? aught t is     
evil2 s %alt ?\ be wis] ?an he4  ,great 
w be ! applause on ! "p ( ! li/5]s1 & ?y
 "n %all be good 9 ! k ( pr9ces4  #d4   

,if ?\ f9d an argu] talk+1 a poor man1 t
 is to say n ?9e equal1 be n scornful   
t[>d him because he is l[ly4  ,let him  
alone2 !n %all he conf\nd himself4  ,"q 
him n to please ?9e he>t1 nei!r p\r out 
?y wra? ^u him t is be=e !e2 x is       
%ameful to confuse a mean m9d4  ,if ?\  
be ab\t to d t :i* is 9 ?9e he>t1       
ov]come x z a ?+ reject$ ( pr9ces4  #e4 
,if ?\ be a lead]1 z "o direct+ !       
conduct ( ! multitude1 endeav\r always  
to be graci\s1 t ?9e own conduct be )\t 
defect4  ,great is ,tru?1 appo9t+ a     
/raight pa?2 nev] ha? x be5 ov]?r[n s9ce
 ! #dd reign ( ,osiris4#d  ,"o t        
ov]/eppe? ! laws %all be puni%$4        
,ov]/epp+ is by ! covet\s man2 b        
degradations 787 be> (f 8 ri*es1 = !    
season ( 8 evil-do+ cease? n4  ,= he    
sai?1 ',i w obta9 by myself = myself1' &
 sai? n1 ',i w obta9 because ,i am      
all[$4'  ,b ! limits ( ju/ice are       
/eadfa/2 x is t :i* a man repeate? f 8  
fa!r4  #f4  ,cause n fe> among m52 = ?is
 ! ,god puni%e? likewise4 ,= !re is a   

man t sai?1 ',!re9 is life'2 & he is    
b]eft ( ! bread ( 8 m\?4  ,!re is a man 
t sai?1 ',p[] is !re9'2 & he sai?1 ',i  
seize = myself t :i* ,i p]ceive4' ,?us a
 man speake?1 & he is smitt5 d[n4  ,x is
 ano!r t atta9e? by giv+ unto him t ha? 
n2 n he t cause? m5 dread4  ,= x happ5e?
 t :at ! ,god ha? comm&$1 ev5 t ?+ come?
 to pass4  ,live1 !re=e1 9 ! h\se (     
k9dl9ess1 & m5 %all come & give gifts ( 
!mselves4  #g4  ,if ?\ be among ! gue/s 
( a man t is great] ?an ?\1 accept t :i*
 he give? !e1 putt+ x to ?y lips4  ,if  
?\ look at him t is be=e !e 7?9e ho/71  
pi]ce him n #de ) _m glances4  ,x is    
abhorr$ ( ! s\l#e to />e at him4  ,speak
 n till he address !e2 "o kn[e? n :at   
may be evil 9 8 op9ion4 ,speak :5 he    
que/ione? !e2 s %all ?y spee* be good 9 
8 op9ion4  ,! noble :o sitte? be=e food 
divide? x z 8 s\l move? him2 he give?   
unto him t he w\ld fav\r--x is ! cu/om (
 ! ev5+ meal4  ,x is 8 s\l t guide? 8   
h&4  ,x is ! noble t be/[e?1 n ! und]l+ 
t atta9e?4  ,?us ! eat+ ( bread is "u ! 

provid5ce ( ! ,god2 he is an ignorant   
man t dispute? x4  #h4  ,if ?\ be an    
emiss>y s5t f "o noble to ano!r1 be     
exact aft] ! mann] ( him t s5t !e1 give 
8 message ev5 z he ha? said x4  ,bew>e (
 mak+ enmity by ?y words1 sett+ "o noble
 aga9/ ! o!r by p]v]t+ tru?4  ,ov]/ep x 
n1 nei!r repeat t :i* any man1 be he    
pr9ce or peasant1 sai? 9 op5+ ! he>t2 x 
is abhorr5t to ! s\l4  #i4  ,if ?\ h    
pl\gh$1 ga!r ?9e h>ve/ 9 ! field1 & !   
,god %all make x great "u ?9e h&4  ,fill
 n ?y m\? at ?y neighb\rs' table4444#f  
,if a crafty man be ! #df possessor (   
weal?1 he /eale? l a crocodile f !      
prie/s4  ,let n a man be envi\s t ha? no
 *ildr52 let him be nei!r d[nca/ nor    
qu>relsome on acc\nt ( x4  ,= a fa!r1   
?\gh great1 may be griev$2 z to ! "m (  
*ildr51 %e ha? less peace ?an ano!r4    
,v]ily1 ea* man is creat$ to 8 de/9y by 
! ,god1 ,:o is ! *ief ( a tribe1 tru/ful
 9 foll[+ him4  #aj4  ,if ?\ be l[ly1   
s]ve a wise man1 t all ?9e actions may  
be good be=e ! ,god4  ,if ?\ h kn[n a   

man ( none acc\nt t ha? be5 advanc$ 9   
rank1 be n haughty t[>d him on acc\nt ( 
t :i* ?\ kn[e/ conc]n+ him2 b hon\r him 
t ha? be5 advanc$1 accord+ to t :i* he  
ha? become4  ,behold1 ri*es come n (    
!mselves2 x is _! rule = him t desire?  
!m4  ,if he be/ir him & collect !m      
himself1 ! ,god %all make him prosp]\s2 
b ,he %all puni% him1 if he be slo?ful4 
#aa4  ,foll[ ?9e he>t dur+ ?y lifetime2 
d n m ?an is comm&$ !e4  ,dim9i% n ! "t 
( foll[+ ! he>t2 x is abhorr$ ( ! s\l1 t
 its "t ( ease be tak5 away4  ,%ort5 n !
 daytime m ?an is ne$ful to #dg ma9ta9  
?9e h\se4 ,:5 ri*es are ga9$1 foll[ !   
he>t2 = ri*es are ( no avail if "o be   
we>y4  #ab4  ,if ?\ w\lde/ be a wise    
man1 beget a son = ! pleas+ ( ! ,god4   
,if he make /raight 8 c\rse aft] ?9e    
example1 if he arrange ?9e affairs 9 due
 ord]1 d unto him all t is good1 = ?y   
son is he1 begott5 ( ?9e own s\l4       
,sund] n ?9e he>t f him1 or ?9e own     
begott5 %all curse !e4  ,if he be       
he$less & trespass ?y rules ( conduct1 &

 is viol5t2 if e spee* t come? f 8 m\?  
be a vile ^w2 !n beat ?\ him1 t 8 talk  
may be fitt+4  ,keep him f ^? t make    
light ( t :i* is comm&$1 = x is !y t    
make him rebelli\s4#g  ,& !y t are guid$
 g n a/ray1 b !y t lose _! be>+s _c f9d 
a /raight c\rse4  #ac4  ,if ?\ be 9 !   
*amb] ( c\ncil1 act always accord+ to ! 
/eps enjo9$ on !e at ! beg9n+ ( ! day4  
,be n abs5t1 or ?\ %all be expell$2 b be
 ready 9 ent]+ & mak+ report4 ,wide#h is
 ! seat ( "o t ha? made address4  ,!    
c\ncil-*amb] acte? by /rict rule2 & all 
its plans are 9 accordance ) me?od4 ,x  
is ! ,god t #dh advance? "o to a seat   
!re92 ! l is n done = elb[]s4  #ad4  ,if
 ?\ be among p1 make = ?yself love1 !   
beg9n+ & end ( ! he>t4  ,"o t kn[e? n 8 
c\rse %all say 9 himself 7see+ !e71 ',he
 t ord]e? himself duly become? ! own] ( 
weal?2 ,i %all copy 8 conduct4'  ,?y "n 
%all be good1 ?\gh ?\ speak n2 ?y body  
%all be f$2 ?y face %all be se5 among ?y
 neighb\rs2 ?\ %alt be provid$ ) :at ?\ 
lacke/4  ,z to ! man ^: he>t obeye? 8   

belly1 he cause? disgu/ 9 place ( love4 
,8 he>t is wret*$ 7871 8 body is gross  
7871 he is insol5t t[>d ^? end[$ ( !    
,god4  ,he t obeye? 8 belly ha? an      
enemy4#i  #ae4  ,report ?9e actions )\t 
concealm5t2 discov] ?y conduct :5 9     
c\ncil ) ?9e ov]lord4  ,x is n evil = ! 
envoy t 8 report be n answ]$1 ',yea1 ,i 
"k x1' by ! pr9ce2 = t :i* he kn[e?     
include? n ?is4  ,if he 7! pr9ce7 ?9k t 
he w oppose him on acc\nt ( x1 he ?9ke? 
',he w be sil5t because ,i h spok54'#aj 
#af4  ,if ?\ be a lead]1 cause t ! rules
 #di t ?\ ha/ enjo9$ be c>ri$ out2 & d  
all ?+s z "o t rememb]e? ! days com+    
aft]1 :5 spee* availe? n4  ,be n lavi% (
 fav\rs2 x leade? to s]vility 7871      
produc+ slackness4  #ag4  ,if ?\ be a   
lead]1 be graci\s :5 ?\ he>k5e/ unto !  
spee* ( a suppliant4  ,let him n        
hesitate to deliv] himself ( t :i* he   
ha? ?\ght to tell !e2 b be desir\s (    
remov+ 8 injury4  ,let him speak freely1
 t ! ?+ = :i* he ha? come to !e may be  
done4  ,if he hesitate to op5 8 he>t1 x 

is said1 ',is x because he 7! judge7    
doe? ! wrong t no entreaties are made to
 him conc]n+ x by ^? to :om x happ5e?8' 
,b a well-taught he>t he>k5e? readily4  
#ah4  ,if ?\ desire to cont9ue fri5d%ip 
9 any abode :]e9 ?\ ent]e/1 be x z ma/]1
 z bro!r1 or z fri5d2 :]esoev] ?\ goe/1 
bew>e ( consort+ ) wom54  ,no place     
prosp]e? :]e9 t is done4  ,nor is x     
prud5t to take "p 9 x2 a ?\s& m5 h be5  
ru9$ = ! pleasure ( a little "t %ort z a
 dream4 ,ev5 dea? is rea*$ !reby2 x is a
 wret*$ ?+4  ,z = ! evil liv]1 "o leave?
 him = :at he doe?1 he is avoid$4  ,if 8
 desires be n gratifi$1 he reg>de? 787  
no laws4  #ej  #ai4  ,if ?\ desire t ?9e
 actions may be good1 save ?yself f all 
malice1 & bew>e ( ! quality (           
covet\sness1 :i* is a griev\s inn] 787  
malady4  ,let x n *ance t ?\ fall       
!re9to4 ,x sette? at v>iance fa!rs-9-law
 & ! k9sm5 ( ! daught]-9-law2 x sund]e? 
! wife & ! husb&4  ,x ga!re? unto itself
 all evils2 x is ! girdle ( all         
wick$ness4#aa  ,b ! man t is j fl\ri%e?2

 tru? goe? 9 8 foot/eps1 & he make?     
habitations !re91 n 9 ! dwell+ (        
covet\sness4  #bj4  ,be n covet\s z t\*+
 %>es1 9 seiz+ t :i* is n ?9e own       
prop]ty4  ,be n covet\s t[>d ?y         
neighb\rs2 = ) a g5tle man praise       
availe? m ?an might4  ,he t is covet\s  
come? empty f among 8 neighb\rs1 be+    
void ( ! p]suasion ( spee*4  ,"o ha?    
remorse = ev5 a little covet\sness :5 8 
belly coole?4  #ba4  ,if ?\ w\lde/ be   
wise1 provide = ?9e h\se1 & love ?y wife
 t is 9 ?9e arms4  ,fill h] /oma*1 clo! 
h] back2 oil is ! rem$y ( h] limbs4     
,gladd5 h] he>t dur+ ?y lifetime1 = %e  
is an e/ate pr(itable unto its "l4  ,be 
n h>%1 = g5tl5ess ma/]e? h] m ?an /r5g?4
  ,give 787 to h] t = :i* %e sighe? & t 
t[>d :i* h] #ea eye looke?2 s %alt ?\   
keep h] 9 ?9e h\se4444  #bb4  ,satisfy  
?9e hir$ s]vants out ( su* ?+s z ?\ ha/2
 x is ! duty ( "o t ha? be5 fav\r$ ( !  
,god4  ,9 soo?1 x is h>d to satisfy hir$
 s]vants4  ,= "o#ab sai?1 ',he is a     
lavi% p]son2 "o kn[e? n t :i* may come f

 him4'  ,b on ! morr[ he ?9ke?1 ',he is 
a p]son ( exactitude 7p>simony71 cont5t 
!re94'  ,& :5 fav\rs h be5 %[n unto     
s]vants1 !y say1 ',we g4'  ,peace       
dwelle? n 9 t t[n :]e9 dwell s]vants t  
are wret*$4  #bc4  ,repeat n extravagant
 spee*1 nei!r li/5 !reto2 = x is !      
utt]ance ( a body heat$ by wra?4  ,:5   
su* spee* is repeat$ to !e1 he>k5 n     
!reto1 look to ! gr\nd4  ,speak n reg>d+
 x1 t he t is be=e !e may "k wisdom4    
,if ?\ be comm&$ to d a !ft1 br+ x to   
pass t ! comm& be tak5 (f !e1 = x is a  
?+ hateful accord+ to law4  ,t :i*      
de/roye? a vision is ! veil ov] x4  #bd4
  ,if ?\ w\lde/ be a wise man1 & "o     
sitt+ 9 c\ncil ) 8 ov]lord1 apply ?9e   
he>t unto p]fection4  ,sil5ce is m      
pr(itable unto !e ?an abundance ( spee*4
  ,consid] #eb h[ ?\ may be oppos$ by an
 exp]t t speake? 9 c\ncil4  ,x is a     
fooli% ?+ to speak on e k9d ( "w1 = he t
 dispute? ?y words %all put !m unto     
pro(4  #be4  ,if ?\ be p[]ful1 make     
?yself to be hon\r$ = k & = g5tl5ess4   

,speak ) au?ority1 t is1 n z if foll[+  
injunctions1 = he t is humble 7:5 highly
 plac$7 falle? into errors4  ,exalt n   
?9e he>t1 t x be n br\ght l[4#ac  ,be n 
sil5t1 b bew>e ( int]ruption & ( answ]+ 
words ) heat4 ,put x f> f !e2 control   
?yself4   ,! wra?ful he>t speake? fi]y  
words2 x d>te? out at ! man ( peace t   
approa*e?1 /opp+ 8 pa?4  ,"o t reckone? 
acc\nts all ! day passe? n an happy     
mom5t4 ,"o t gladd5e? 8 he>t all ! day  
provide? n = 8 h\se4 ,! b[man hitte? !  
m>k1 z ! /e]sman rea*e? l&1 by div]sity 
( aim4  ,he t obeye? 8 he>t %all        
comm&4#ad  #bf4  ,let n a pr9ce be h9d]$
 :5 he is occupi$2 nei!r oppress ! he>t 
( him t is already lad54  ,= he %all be 
ho/ile t[>d "o t delaye? him1 b %all b>e
 8 s\l #ec unto "o t love? him4  ,!     
disposal ( s\ls is ) ! ,god1 & t :i* ,he
 love? is ,8 creation4  ,set out1 !re=e1
 aft] a viol5t qu>rel2 be at peace ) him
 t is ho/ile unto !e 8 oppon5t4  ,x is  
su* s\ls t make love to gr[4  #bg4      
,in/ruct a noble 9 su* ?+s z be         

pr(itable unto him2 cause t he be       
receiv$ among m54  ,let 8 satisfaction  
fall on 8 ma/]1 = ?y provision dep5de?  
^u 8 w4  ,by reason ( x ?y belly %all be
 satisfi$2 ?y back w be clo!d !reby4    
,let him receive ?9e he>t1 t ?9e h\se   
may fl\ri% & ?9e hon\r--if ?\ wi% x to  
fl\ri%--!reby4  ,he %all ext5d !e a     
k9dly h&4 ,fur!r1 he %all implant ! love
 ( !e 9 ! bodies ( ?y fri5ds4  ,=soo?1 x
 is a s\l lov+ to he>k54#ae  #bh4  ,if  
?\ be ! son ( a man ( ! prie/hood1 & an 
envoy to conciliate ! multitude14444#af 
speak ?\ )\t fav\r+ "o side4  ,let x n  
be said1 ',8 conduct is t ( ! nobles1   
fav\r+ "o side 9 8 spee*4'  ,turn ?9e   
aim t[>d exact judgm5ts4  #ed  #bi4  ,if
 ?\ h be5 graci\s at a =m] "t1 hav+     
=giv5 a man to guide him aright1 %un    
him1 rem9d him n aft] ! fir/ day t he   
ha? be5 sil5t to !e conc]n+ x4  #cj4    
,if ?\ be great1 aft] be+ ( none acc\nt1
 & ha/ gott5 ri*es aft] squalor1 be+    
=emo/ 9 ^! 9 ! city1 & ha/ k conc]n+    
useful matt]s1 s t promotion is come    

unto !e2 !n swa! n ?9e he>t 9 ?9e ho>d1 
= ?\ art become ! /ew>d ( ! end[m5ts ( !
 ,god4  ,?\ art n ! la/2 ano!r %all be  
?9e equal1 & to him %all come ! l =tune 
& /ation4  #ca4  ,b5d ?y back unto ?y   
*ief1 ?9e ov]se] 9 ! ,k+'s palace1 = ?9e
 h\se dep5de? ^u 8 weal?1 & ?y wages 9  
_! season4  ,h[ fooli% is "o t qu>relle?
 ) 8 *ief1 = "o live? only :ile he is   
graci\s4444  ,plund] n ! h\ses ( t5ants2
 nei!r /eal ! ?+s ( a fri5d1 le/ he     
accuse !e 9 ?9e he>+1 :i* ?ru/e? back ! 
he>t4#ag  ,if he "k ( x1 he w d !e an   
injury4  ,qu>rell+ 9 place ( fri5d%ip is
 a fooli% ?+4  #ee  #cb4  ,conc]n+      
cont95ce4  #cc4  ,if ?\ w\lde/ seek out 
! nature ( a fri5d1 ask x n ( any       
companion ( 82 b pass a "t ) him alone1 
t ?\ injure n 8 affairs4  ,debate ) him 
aft] a season2 te/ 8 he>t 9 an occasion 
( spee*4  ,:5 he ha? told !e 8 pa/ life1
 he ha? made an opportunity t ?\ may    
ei!r be a%am$ = him or be famili> ) him4
  ,be n res]v$ ) him :5 he op5e? spee*1 
nei!r answ] him aft] a scornful mann]4  

,)draw n ?yself f him1 nei!r int]rupt   
787 him ^: matt] is n yet end$1 :om x is
 possible to b5efit4  #cd4  ,let ?y face
 be bright :at "t ?\ live/4  ,t :i* goe?
 into ! /oreh\se mu/ come out !refrom2 &
 bread is to be %>$4 ,he t is grasp+ 9  
ent]ta9m5t %all himself h an empty      
belly2 he t cause? /rife come? himself  
to sorr[4  ,take n su* an "o = ?y       
companion4  ,x is a man's k9dly acts t  
are rememb]$ ( him 9 ! ye>s aft] 8      
life4#ah  #ce4  ,"k well ?y m]*ants2 =  
:5 ?9e affairs are 9 evil case1 ?y good 
repute among ?y fri5ds is a *annel 787  
:i* is fill$4  ,x is m important ?an !  
dignities ( a man2 & #ef ! weal? ( "o   
passe? to ano!r4  ,! good repute ( a    
man's son is a glory unto him2 & a good 
"* is = remembrance4  #cf4  ,correct    
*iefly2 in/ruct con=mably !re)4  ,vice  
mu/ be drawn out1 t virtue may rema94   
,nor is ?is a matt] ( mis=tune1 = "o t  
is a ga9say] become? a /rife-mak]4  #cg4
  ,if ?\ make a woman to be a%am$1      
wanton ( he>t1 "o kn[n by h] t[nsfolk to

 be falsely plac$1 be k9d unto h] = a   
space1 s5d h] n away1 give h] to eat4   
,! wantonness ( h] he>t %all e/eem ?y   
guidance4   ,c4  ,if ?\ obey ^! ?+s t ,i
 h said unto !e1 all ?y demean\r %all be
 ( ! be/2 =1 v]ily1 ! quality ( tru? is 
among _! excell5ces4  ,set ! memory ( !m
 9 ! m\?s ( ! p2 = _! prov]bs are good4 
,nor %all any ^w t ha? "h be5 set d[n   
cease out ( ?is l& = ev]1 b %all be made
 a patt]n :]eby pr9ces %all speak well4 
,!y 7my words7 %all in/ruct a man2 h[ he
 %all speak1 aft] he ha? he>d !m2 yea1  
he %all become z "o skilful 9 obey+1    
excell5t 9 speak+1 aft] he ha? he>d !m4 
,good =tune %all befall him1 = he %all  
be ( ! highe/ rank4  ,he %all be graci\s
 to ! end ( 8 life2 he %all be #eg      
cont5t$ always4  ,8 k %all be 8 guide   
787 into a place ( security1 :]e9 he    
%all prosp] :ile on e>?4  ,! s*ol>#ai   
%all be cont5t 9 8 k4  ,z to ! pr9ce1 9 
8 turn1 =soo?1 8 he>t %all be happy1 8  
tongue made /raight4 ,& 9 ^! prov]bs 8  
lips %all speak1 8 eyes %all see1 & 8   

e>s %all he>1 t :i* is pr(itable = 8    
son1 s t he deal ju/ly1 void ( deceit4  
#ch4  ,a spl5did ?+ is ! ob$i5ce ( an   
ob$i5t son2 he come? 9 & li/5e?         
ob$i5tly4  ,excell5t 9 he>+1 excell5t 9 
speak+1 is e man t obeye? :at is noble2 
& ! ob$i5ce ( an obey] is a noble ?+4   
,ob$i5ce is bett] ?an all ?+s t are2 x  
make? good-w4  ,h[ good x is t a son    
%\ld take t f 8 fa!r by :i* he ha? rea*$
 old age 7,ob$i5ce74  ,t :i* is desir$  
by ! ,god is ob$i5ce2 disob$i5ce is     
abhorr$ ( ! ,god4  ,v]ily1 x is ! he>t t
 make? its ma/] to obey or to disobey2 =
 ! safe & s\nd life ( a man are 8 he>t4 
,x is ! ob$i5t man t obeye? :at is said2
 he t love? to obey1 ! same %all c>ry   
out comm&s4  #eh  ,he t obeye? become?  
"o obey$4  ,x is good inde$ :5 a son    
obeye? 8 fa!r2 & he 78 fa!r7 t ha? spok5
 ha? great joy ( x4  ,su* a son %all be 
mild z a ma/]1 & he t he>e? him %all    
obey him t ha? spok54  ,he %all be      
comely 9 body & hon\r$ by 8 fa!r4  ,8   
memory %all be 9 ! m\?s ( ! liv+1 ^? ^u 

e>?1 z long z !y exi/4#bj  #ci4  ,let a 
son receive ! ^w ( 8 fa!r1 n be+ he$less
 ( any rule ( 84  ,in/ruct ?y son ?us2 =
 ! ob$i5t man is "o t is p]fect 9 !     
op9ion ( pr9ces4  ,if he direct 8 m\? by
 :at ha? be5 enjo9$ him1 wat*ful &      
ob$i5t1 ?y son %all be wise1 & 8 go+s   
seemly4  ,he$lessness leade? unto       
disob$i5ce on ! morr[2 b und]/&+ %all   
/abli% him4  ,z = ! fool1 he %all be    
cru%$4  #dj4  ,z = ! fool1 devoid (     
ob$i5ce1 he doe? no?+4  ,k he reg>de? z 
ignorance1 pr(itable ?+s z hurtful ?+s4 
,he doe? all k9d ( errors1 s t he is    
rebuk$ !re= e day4  ,he live? 9 dea? #ei
 !re)2 x is 8 food4  ,at *att]+ spee* he
 m>velle?1 z at ! wisdom ( pr9ces1 liv+ 
9 dea? e day4 ,he is %unn$ because ( 8  
mis=tunes1 by reason ( ! multitude (    
afflictions t come? ^u him e day4  #da4 
,a son t he>k5e? is z a ,foll[] (       
,horus4#ba  ,he is good aft] he he>k5e?2
 he gr[e? old1 he rea*e? hon\r &        
rev]5ce4 ,he repeate? 9 l mann] to 8    
sons & daught]s1 s r5ew+ ! in/ruction ( 

8 fa!r4  ,ea* man in/ructe? z did 8     
begett]1 repeat+ x unto 8 *ildr54  ,let 
!m 9 turn speak ) _! sons & daught]s1 t 
!y may be fam\s 9 _! de$s4  ,let t :i*  
?\ speake/ implant true ?+s & j 9 ! life
 ( ?y *ildr54  ,!n ! highe/ au?ority    
%all arrive1 & s9s dep>t f !m4  ,& su*  
m5 z see ^! ?+s %all say1 ',surely t man
 ha? spok5 to good purpose1' & !y %all d
 likewise2 or1 ',b surely t man 0       
exp]i5c$4'  ,& all p %all decl>e1 ',x is
 !y t %all direct ! multitude2 dignities
 are n complete )\t !m4'  ,take n any ^w
 away1 nei!r add "o2 #fj set n "o 9 !   
place ( ano!r4  ,bew>e ( op5+444#bb 9   
?yself4  ,be w>y ( spee* :5 a le>n$ man 
he>k5e? unto !e2 desire to be /abli%$ = 
good 9 ! m\? ( ^? t he> !e speak+4  ,if 
?\ h ent]$ z an exp]t1 speak ) exact 787
 lips1 t ?y conduct may be seemly4  #db4
  ,be ?9e he>t ov]fl[+2 b refra9 ?y m\?4
  ,let ?y conduct be exact :ile among/  
nobles1 & seemly be=e ?y "l1 do+ t :i*  
he ha? comm&$4  ,su* a son %all speak   
unto !m t he>k5 to him2 moreov]1 8      

begett] %all be fav\r$4  ,apply ?9e     
he>t1 :at "t ?\ speake/1 to say+ ?+s su*
 t ! nobles :o li/5 decl>e1 ',h[        
excell5t is t :i* come? out ( 8 m\?6'   
#dc4  ,c>ry out ! behe/ ( ?y "l to !e4  
,h[ good is ! tea*+ ( a man's fa!r1 = he
 ha? come f him1 :o ha? spok5 ( 8 son   
:ile he 0 yet unborn2 & t :i* is done = 
him 7! son7 is m ?an t :i* is comm&$    
him4  ,=soo?1 a good son is ( ! gift ( !
 ,god2 he doe? m ?an is #fa enjo9$ on   
him1 he doe? "r1 & putte? 8 he>t into   
all 8 go+s4   ,d4  ,if n[ ?\ atta9 my   
position1 ?y body %all fl\ri%1 ! ,k+    
%all be cont5t 9 all t ?\ doe/1 & ?\    
%alt ga!r ye>s ( life n few] ?an ,i h   
pass$ ^u e>?4  ,i h ga!r$ ev5 fivescore 
& t5 ye>s ( life1 = ! ,k+ ha? be/[$ ^u  
me fav\rs m ?an ^u my =efa!rs2 ?is      
because ,i wr\ght tru? & ju/ice = ! ,k+ 
unto m9e old age4     ,,x ,,is ,,f9i%$  
,,f ,,its ,,beg9n+ ,,to ,,its ,,end     
,,ev5 ,,z ,,f\nd ,,9 ,,writ+4    #a ,!  
,k+4  #b ,title ( an ord] ( ! prie/hood4
  #c ,! cu/om>y attitude ( a submissive 

inf]ior at t "t4  #d ,! ,god ,osiris 0  
believ$ to h reign$ on e>? _m ?\s& ye>s 
be=e ,mns1 ! fir/ hi/orical k+4  #e ,s\l
  ka'1 & ?r\gh\t ?is "w4   ,ka' is      
translat$ p]son 9  #bb1 w 9  #bg4  #f   
,an obscure or corrupt phrase "h foll[s1
 :i* does n admit ( satisfactory        
translation4  #g ,translation d\btful4  
#h i4e4 com=table4  #i ,8 belly1        
presumably4  #aj ,! above translation is
 n satisfactory2 ! text may be corrupt4 
,no intelligible translation ( x has yet
 be5 made4  #aa i4e4 all wick$ness is   
conta9$ !re94  #ab ,a s]vant4  #ac      
,comp>e ,prov4 xvii4 #ah4  #ad ,s also 9
 life1 by div]sity ( aim1 alt]nat+ "w & 
play1 happ9ess is secur$4  ,tack+ is    
evid5tly meant 9 ! case ( ! /e]sman4    
#ae ,?is section ref]s to ! relations   
betwe5 ! son ( a nobleman & 8 tutor1    
dwell+ on ! b5efits f =m] pupils 9 high 
places1 if _! s*ooldays h be5 pleasant4 
,! la/ s5t5ce ( ?is section1 z (        
sections #bc & #be1 is some:at  propos  
des bottes4  #af ,an obscure phrase is  

"h4  #ag ,lit]ally1 ,x is t :i* prev5te?
 ! he>t f advanc+ 787  ,a curi\s phrase4
  #ah ,lit]ally1 aft] 8 /ick or sceptre4
  #ai ,:o kn[s !m4  #bj ,! great] "p (  
?is section is a play ^u ! root 'sdem1  
:i* 9 its mean+ includes our he> 7li/57 
& obey4  ,?is tiresome torture ( words  
is frequ5t 9 ,egyptian1 especially 9 old
 religi\s texts4  #ba ,! ,foll[]s (     
,horus are a leg5d>y dyna/y ( demigods1 
believ$ by ! ,egyptians to h rul$ = ab\t
 #ac1djj ye>s aft] ! reign ( ,horus1 &  
be=e t ( ,mns4  ,!re is also an ord] (  
spirits ( ?is "n4  #bb ,a ^w ( unkn[n   
mean+2 app>5tly "s k9d ( plant4  ,su* a 
^w seems out ( place "h1 & may be       
idiomatic1 l our fl[]y language4  ,b !  
prec$+ l9e obvi\sly ref]s to ?is book4  
#fb  ,,! ,,in/ruction ,,( ,,ke',,gemni  
,on ,avoid+ ,(f5ce   #a4a ,! cauti\s man
 fl\ri%e?1 ! exact "o is prais$2 !      
inn]mo/ *amb] op5e? unto ! man ( sil5ce4
  ,wide#b is ! seat ( ! man g5tle (     
spee*2 b knives are prep>$ aga9/ "o t   
=ce? a pa?1 t he advance n1 save 9 due  

season4  #b4  ,if ?\ sit ) a company (  
p1 desire n ! bread t ?\ like/3 %ort is 
! "t ( re/ra9+ ! he>t1 & gluttony is an 
abom9ation2 !re9 is ! quality ( a bea/4 
,a cup ( wat] qu5*e? ! ?ir/1 & a m\?ful 
( melon supporte? ! he>t4  ,a good ?+   
/&e? = goodness1 b "s small ?+ /&e? =   
pl5ty4#c  ,a base man is he t is gov]n$ 
by 8 belly2 he dep>te? only :5 he is no 
long] able to fill full 8 belly 9 m5's  
h\ses4  #fc  #c4  ,if ?\ sit ) a        
glutton1 eat ) him1 !n dep>t 7874  ,if  
?\ dr9k ) a drunk>d1 accept dr9k1 & 8   
he>t %all be satisfi$4  ,refuse n meat  
:5 ) a gre$y man4  ,take t :i* he give? 
!e2 set x n on "o side1 ?9k+ t x w be a 
c\rte\s ?+4  #d4  ,if a man be lack+ 9  
good fell[%ip1 no spee* ha? any influ5ce
 ov] him4  ,he is s\r ( face t[>d !     
glad-he>t$ t are k9dly to him2 he is a  
grief unto 8 "m & 8 fri5ds2 & all m5    
cry1 ',let ?y "n be kn[n2 ?\ art sil5t 9
 ?y m\? :5 ?\ art address$6'  #e4  ,be n
 haughty because ( ?y might 9 ! mid/ (  
?y "y soldi]s4  ,bew>e ( mak+ /rife1 =  

"o kn[e? n ! ?+s t ! ,god w d :5 ,he    
puni%e?4  ,! ,vizi] caus$ 8 sons &      
daught]s to be summon$1 :5 he _h f9i%$ !
 rules ( ! conduct ( m54  ,& !y m>vell$ 
:5 !y came to him4  ,!n he said unto !m1
 ',he>k5 unto ev]y?+ t is 9 writ+ 9 ?is 
book1 ev5 z ,i h said x 9 add+ unto     
pr(itable say+s4'  ,& !y ca/ !mselves on
 _! bellies1 & !y read x1 ev5 z x 0 9   
writ+4  ,& x 0 bett] 9 _! op9ion ?an any
 ?+ 9 ?is l& unto its limits4  ,n[ !y 7 
liv+ :5 ,8 ,maje/y1 ! ,k+ ( ,upp] & ,l[]
 ,egypt1 ,,heuni1 #fd dep>t$1 & ,8      
,maje/y1 ! ,k+ ( ,upp] & ,l[] ,egypt1   
,,s5f,,ru1 0 en?ron$ z a graci\s k+ ov] 
! :ole ( ?is l&4  ,!n 0 ,ke'gemni made  
,gov]nor ( 8 ,city & ,vizi]4   ,,x ,,is 
,,f9i%$4    #a ,! orig9al is n divid$   
into sections4  #b i4e4 com=table  #c   
,?is is a r d>k say+1 b app>5tly ! au?or
 means t al?\gh ! duly in/ruct$ gue/ w  
only p>take mod]ately ( ! abundance be=e
 him1 :at he eats is z good z ! re/4  ,8
 portion w be equal to ! :ole z reg>ds  
quality1 ?\gh inf]ior z reg>ds quantity4

     #fe  ,,app5dix  ,! ,in/ruction (   
,am5emh'et ,i4 is "h giv5 z a contra/ to
 ! =ego+4  ,x is a ,te/am5t1 h[ev]1 r   
?an an ,in/ruction1 & conta9s m         
hi/orical matt] ?an didactic4  ,x is    
writt5 9 a t]se & po9t$ /yle1 comb9$ ) !
 p>allelism & anti!sis :i* 0 ! prevail+ 
vehicle ( poetic ?\ght 9 ,egyptian4  ,! 
rank ( its au?or & ! exce$+ bitt]ness ( 
8 mood make x a docum5t ( great int]e/4 
,!re is no reason to d\bt its           
au!nticity4  ,?is ,k+ 0 ! f\nd] ( !     
glori\s ,twelf? ,dyna/y1 a p]iod :i* has
 be5 call$ ! ,gold5 ,age ( ,egypt4  ,he 
rul$ f ab\t #bggh-bgdh ,b4,c41 &1 al?\gh
 he describes himself z ov]-l5i5t1 0    
really "o ( ! mo/ vigor\s & p[]ful ( all
 ! ,sons ( ! ,sun :o = five ?\s& ye>s   
wore ! d\ble cr[n ( ! ,two ,egypts4  ,! 
circum/ances 9 :i* ! new dyna/y arose   
are n kn[n2 nor h we any o!r record ( ! 
attempt on 8 life1 "h rec\nt$4 #ff ,9 ! 
tw5tie? ye> ( 8 reign he associat$ 8    
son1 ,s5wes]t ,i41 ) him 9 a co-reg5cy  
:i* la/$ t5 ye>s4  ,f #h we ga!r t !    

attempt$ assass9ation took place j be=e 
! dual rule2 :ile ! ,in/ruction 0       
evid5tly p5n$ %ortly be=e ! writ]'s     
dea?4  ,! 'h\se' ref]r$ to is presumably
 8 pyramid-tomb1 call$                  
,ke'-nf]-am5emh'et4  ,am5emh'et is      
exalt$ & good4  ,! site ( ?is build+ is 
n kn[n4  ,?is ,in/ruction 0 popul> z a  
s*ool ex]cise 9 ! ',new ,k+dom1' & we   
possess sev]al copies or p>ts ( copies4 
,!re is no good text = ! latt] "p 7 #ab 
ff71 :i* is corrupt 9 su* ,,mss4 z      
conta9 x4  ,i h us$ ! critical text (   
,mr4 ,griffi?1 publi%$ 9 ! ,zeits*rift  
fr gyptis*e ,spra*e1 #ahif4  ,x is hop$ 
t ! ,bibliography w be useful to /ud5ts 
( ! books ( ,ptah-hotep & ,ke'gemni4    
,b4 ,g4 ,g4     #fg  ,,! ,,in/ruction   
,,( ,,am5emhe',,et  ,a ,palace          
,conspiracy--,hail & ,f>ewell   ,beg9ne?
 "h ! ,in/ruction made by ! ,maje/y ( ! 
,k+ ( ,upp] & ,l[] ,egypt               
,,sehotep-',,eb-,r'1 ,son ( ! ,sun      
,,am5emh',,et1 ! ,ju/ifi$4#a  ,he       
speake? ?us 9 discov]+ words ( tru? unto

 8 ,son1 ! ,"l ( ! ,_w3  #a4  ,%9e =?1  
he sai?1 ev5 z ! ,god4  ,he>k5 to t :i* 
,i say unto !e3 t ?\ may reign ov] ! l&1
 t ?\ may gov]n ! _w1 t ?\ may excel 9  
goodness4  #b4  ,let "o )draw himself f 
8 subord9ates entirely4  ,x befalle? t  
mank9d give _! he>ts unto "o t cause? !m
 fe>4   ,mix n among !m alone2 fill n   
?9e he>t ) a bro!r2 "k n a tru/$ fri5d2 
make = ?yself no famili> dep5d5ts2 9 ^! 
?+s is no satisfaction4  #c4  ,:5 ?\    
lie/ d[n h c>e = ?y v life1#b s9ce      
fri5ds exi/ n = a man 9 ! #fh day (     
mis=tunes4  ,i gave to ! begg>1 & caus$ 
! orphan to live2 ,i made him t _h n to 
atta91 ev5 z he t _h4  #d4  ,b x 0 !    
eat] ( my food t made insurrection aga9/
 me2 to :om ,i gave m9e h&s1 he creat$  
di/urbance !reby2 !y t array$ !m 9 my   
f9e l95 reg>d$ me a %ad[2 & x 0 !y t    
ano9t$ !mselves ) my spices t ent]$ my  
h>em4  #e4  ,my images are among ! liv+2
 & my a*ievem5ts are among m54 ,b ,i h  
made an h]oic /ory t ha? n be5 he>d2 a  
great feat ( arms t ha? n be5 se54      

,surely "o fighte? = a lasso$ ox t      
=gette? ye/]day2#c & good =tune is ( no 
avail unto "o t _c p]ceive x4  #f4  ,x 0
 aft] ! ev5+ meal1 & night 0 come4  ,i  
took = myself an h\r ( ease4  ,i lay d[n
 ^u my b$1 = ,i 0 we>y4  ,my he>t began 
to w&] 7874  ,i slept4  ,& lo6 weapons 7
 br&i%$1 & !re 0 conf]5ce conc]n+ me4   
,i act$ z ! s]p5t ( ! des]t4#d  #g4  ,i 
awoke to fight2 ,i 0 alone4  ,i f\nd "o 
/ruck d[n1 x 0 ! capta9 ( ! gu>d4  ,_h  
,i receiv$ quickly ! arms f 8 h&1 #fi ,i
 _h driv5 back ! da/>ds by smit+ ar\nd4 
,b he 0 n a brave man on t night1 nor   
c\ld ,i fight alone2 an occasion (      
pr[ess come? n to "o surpris$4  ,?us 0  
,i4  #h4  ,behold1 !n1 vile ?+s came to 
pass1 = ,i 0 )\t !e2 ! c\rti]s knew n t 
,i _h pass$ on to !e my p[]1 ,i sat n ) 
!e on ! ?rone4#e  ,let me1 !n1 make ?y  
plans4  ,because ,i aw$ !m n ,i 0 n     
unm9dful ( !m2 b m9e he>t br+e? n to    
remembrance ! slackness ( s]vants4  #i4 
,is x ! cu/om ( wom5 to ga!r toge!r     
assailants8 are assass9s re>$ )9 my     

palace8 0 ! op5+ done by cutt+ ?r\gh !  
gr\nd8  ,! und]l+s 7 deceiv$ z to :at !y
 did4#f  ,b mis=tunes h n come 9 my tra9
 s9ce my bir?2 nor ha? !re exi/$ ! equal
 ( me z a do] ( valiance4  #aj4  ,i =c$ 
my way up to ,elephant91 ,i w5t d[n unto
 ! coa/-lakes2#g ,i h /ood ^u ! b\nd>ies
 ( ! l&1 & ,i h se5 its c5tre4  ,i h set
 ! limits ( might by my might 9 my de$s4
  #aa4  ,i rais$ corn1 ,i lov$ ,npi#h2 !
 ,nile begg$ ( me e valley4  ,9 my reign
 none #gj hung]$2 none ?ir/$ !re94  ,!y 
7 cont5t$ 9 t :i* ,i did1 say+ conc]n+  
me1 ',e comm&m5t is meet4'  #ab4  ,i    
ov]came lions2 ,i c>ri$ (f crocodiles4  
,i ca/ ! ,nubians "u my feet2 ,i c>ri$  
(f ! ,s\!rn ,nubians2 ,i caus$ !        
,asiatics to flee1 ev5 z h\nds4  #ac4   
,i h made me an h\se1 adorn$ ) gold1 its
 ceil+ ) lapis lazuli1 its walls hav+   
deep f\ndations4  ,its doors are (      
copp]1 _! bolts are ( bronze4  ,x is    
made = ev]-la/+2 et]nity is 9 awe ( x4  
,i "k e dim5sion !re(1 ,o ,"l ( ! ,_w6  
#ad4  ,!re are div]s devices 9 build+s4 

,i "k ! pron\ncem5ts ( m5 :5 inquir+    
into its beauties2 b !y "k n t x 0 )\t  
!e1 ,o my son1 ,s5wes]t2 life1 safe &   
s\nd1 be to !e--by ?y feet d ,i walk2 ?\
 art aft] m9e own he>t2 by ?9e eyes d ,i
 see2 born 9 an h\r ( delight1 )        
spirits#i t r5d]$ !e praise4  #ae4      
,behold1 t :i* ,i h done at ! beg9n+1   
let me set x 9 ord] = !e at ! end2 let  
me be ! l&+-place ( t :i* is 9 ?9e he>t4
  ,all m5 toge!r set ! ,:ite ,cr[n on ! 
,(fspr+ ( ! ,god1 fix+ x unto its due   
place4  ,i %all beg9 ?y praises :5 9 !  
,boat ( ,ra4  ,?y k+dom ha? be5 f       
primeval "t2 n by my do+1 #ga :o h done 
valiant ?+s4  ,raise up monum5ts1 make  
beautiful ?y tomb4  ,i h f\ght aga9/ him
 :om ?\ kn[e/2 = ,i desire n t he %\ld  
be beside ?y ,maje/y4  ,life1 safe &    
s\nd1 be to !e4   ,,x ,,is ,,f9i%$4     
#a ,a c]emonial title appli$ to deceas$ 
p]sons1 analog\s to our ! late4         
,ju/ifi$ is n an exact r5d]+1 b x is    
usual1 & w s]ve4  #b ,lit]ally1 he>t4   
#c ,an allusion to ! p ( ,egypt1 :om he 

_h fre$ f ! =eign oppressors4  #d i4e4  
he rema9$ quiet b wat*ful4  #e ,ref]r+  
to ! co-reg5cy ) 8 son4  #f ,ref]r+ to !
 attempt$ assass9ation4  #g ,! limits1  
s\? & nor?1 ( 8 k+dom4  #h ,! god (     
corn4  #i ,or1 unborn s\ls 7hmmw74      
#gb  ,,an ,,explanation ,,( ,,names     
,,occurr+ ,,9 ,,?is ,,book4             
,,am5emh',,et  4 4 4 4  ,! ,god ,amn is 
to ! =e4  ,,heuni  4 4 4 4 4 4 4  ,i h  
smitt54  ,issi  4 4 4 4 4 4 4  ,( unkn[n
 mean+4  ,,ke',,gemni 4 4 4 4 4 4  ,i h 
f\nd a s\l2 or1 ,a s\l is               
f\nd = me4  ,,ptah-,,hotep 4 4 4 4 4  ,!
 ,god ,ptah is satisfi$1 allud+         
ei!r to ! belief t to beget             
a *ild 0 pleas+ to ! ,god1 or           
to ! d$ication ( ! *ild to ! ,god4      
,,seh,,tep-',,eb-,r'  4 4  ,cont5t+ !   
he>t ( ! ,god ,ra4  ,,s5f,,ru  4 4 4 4 4
 4  ,! beautifi]4  ,,s5wes]t  4 4 4 4 4 
,( d\btful mean+2 connect$ )            
,! ,goddess ,wes]t4   ,o!r spell+s ( ^! 
names are3 ,am5emhat2 ,huna2 ,assa1     
',esse'2 ,ptahhetep2 ,sehetepabra1      

,rasehetepab2 ,s5ef]u2 ,us]tes54     #gc
  ,,bibliography  ,brugs*1 ,h4          
,hi]oglyphis*es-demotis*es ,wrt]bu* 444 
vols4 v4-vii4  ,leipzig1 #ahhj ff4      
,conta9s explanations ( _m difficult    
passages4  ,budge1 ,e4 ,a4 ,w4  ,an     
,egyptian ,read+ ,book4  ,london1 #ahhh4
  ,second edition1 ) translit]ation into
 italics & vocabul>y1 ,london1 #ahif4   
,conta9s ! mo/ conv5i5t transcript ( !  
,p4,p4  ,foll[s ?r\gh\t t ( ,virey 7see 
bel[74   ,= "s am5dm5ts see ,griffi? 9  
,proc4 ,s4,b4,a4 7bel[74  ,! fir/       
edition is m accurate 7= ?is text7 ?an !
 second4  ,! vocabul>y ne$s revision4   
,*abas1 ,f4  ,le plus anci5 livre du    
monde2 tude sur le papyrus ,prisse4     
,revue ar*ologique1 premire srie1 xv4   
anno4  ,p>is1 #aheg4 ,conta9s a         
discussion ( ! text1 etc41 & p>tial     
translation4  ,*abas1 ,f4  ,le papyrus  
,prisse4  ,zeits*rift fr gyptis*e       
,spra*e4 ,b]l91 #ahgj4  ,discusses !    
mean+ ( v>i\s words4  ,*abas1 ,f4  ,le  
plus anci5 livre du monde2 tude sur le  

papyrus ,prisse4  ,biblio?que ori5tale1 
vol4 ii4  ,p>is1 #ahgb4  ,! "w ( #aheg  
reca/4  ,dumi*51 ,j4  ,les s5t5ces de   
,kakemni4  ,les ,bibles et les          
initiateurs religieux de l'humanit1 vol4
 ii4 "p i4  ,p>is1 #ahhd4 ,conta9s a    
translation ( ,kg4  ,griffi?1 ,f4 ,l4   
,notes on ,egyptian ,texts ( ! ,middle  
,k+dom1 iii4 ,proce$+s ( ! ,society (   
,biblical ,ar*aeology1 vol4 xiii4       
,london1 #ahij4  ,discusses ! text1     
correct+ "s previ\s errors 9            
transcription4  ,translation ( ,kg4 &   
,a1 ,b ( ,ph4  ,griffi?1 ,f4 ,l4        
,egyptian ,lit]ature4  ,a ,libr>y ( !   
#gd ,_w's ,be/ ,lit]ature4  ,new ,york1 
#ahih-i4  ,conta9s translation ( _m     
sections4  ,hea?1 ,d4 ,i4  ,on a ,,ms4 (
 ! ,pho5ician ,k+ ,assa1 rul+ 9 ,egypt  
be=e  ,abraham3 ,a ,record ( !          
,patri>*al ,age2 or ,! ,prov]bs (       
,aphobis1 ,b4,c4 #aijj2 n[ fir/ fully   
translat$4  ,mon?ly ,review4 ,london1   
,july1 #ahff4  ,! fir/ 'translation' (  
,kg4 & ,ph4  ,aft]w>ds issu$ z a        

pamphlet1 ,london1 #aheh4  ,lau?1 ,f4   
,j4  ,d] ,autor ,kadjimna vor #edjj     
,jahr54  ,sitzungsb]i*te d] kgl4 bay]4  
,akademie d] ,wiss5s*aft54  ,mun*51     
#ahfi1 ii4 ,conta9s an analysis ( ,kg4  
,lau?1 ,f4 ,j4  ,d] ,prim ,ptah-hotep b]
 das ,alt]3 ,ptah-hoteps ,e?ik4         
,sitzungsb]i*te d] kgl4 bay]4  ,akademie
 d] ,wiss5s*aft54 ,mn*51 #ahgj1 ii1     
,heft i1 ,beilage4  ,conta9s analysis & 
translation into ,lat9 & ,g]man ( !     
great] "p ( ,ph4  ,mahaffy1 ,j4 ,p4     
,prolegom5a to ,anci5t ,hi/ory1 "p ii4  
,london1 #ahga4  ,conta9s translations f
 ,lau?'s r5d]+4  ,my]1 ,t4  ,! ,olde/   
,books 9 ! ,_w4  ,new ,york1 #aijj4     
,conta9s ,virey's translation & notes4  
,petrie1 ,w4 ,m4 ,f4  ,religion &       
,consci5ce 9 ,anci5t ,egypt4  ,london1  
#ahih4  ,conta9s translations ( _m      
sections by ,f4 ,l4 ,griffi?4  ,prisse  
d',av5nes1 ,e4  ,facsimile d'un papyrus 
gypti51 tr\v  ,!bes1 donn  la           
,biblio?que ,royale de ,p>is1 et publi  
p> ,e4 ,p4 d',a4  ,p>is1 #ahdg4         

,rawnsley1 ,h4 ,d4  ,notes = ! ,nile1   
toge!r ) a ,metrical ,r5d]+ ( ! ,hymns (
 ,anci5t ,egypt1 & ( ! ,precepts (      
,ptah-hotep 7! ,olde/ ,book 9 ! ,_w74   
,london1 #ahib4  ,revill\t1 ,e4  ,les   
deux prfaces du papyrus ,prisse4  ,revue
 gyptologique1 tome vii4  ,p>is1 #ahif4 
,conta9s translation ( ,kg4 &  ,a ( ,ph4
  ,revill\t1 ,e4  ,les ,maximes de      
,ptah-hotep4  ,revue gyptologique1 tome 
x4  ,p>is1 #aijb4  ,conta9s translation 
& text ( ,ph4  ,virey1 ,p4  tudes sur le
 papyrus ,prisse1 le livre de ,kagimna  
et les leons de ,ptah-hotep4            
,biblio?que de #ge l'cole des           
,hautes-tudes1 fasc4 #gj4  ,p>is1 #ahhg4
  ,conta9s complete translation &       
elaborate discussion ( ! text2 also     
gloss>y4  ,virey1 ,p4  ,! ,precepts (   
,ptah-hotep 7! ,olde/ ,book 9 ! ,_w74   
,records ( ! ,pa/1 new s]ies1 vol4 iii4 
,london1 #ahij4 ,conta9s a translation (
 ,ph4     ,pr9t$ by ,hazell1 ,watson    
,v9ey1 ,ld41 ,london & ,aylesbury4      
,,! ,,wisdom ,,( ,,! ,,ea/ ,,s]ies      

,edit$ by ,l4 ,,cranm]-,,byng & ,dr4 ,s4
 ,a4 ,,kapadia   ,! object ( ! ,editors 
( ?is ,s]ies is a v def9ite "o4  ,!y    
desire above all ?+s t1 9 _! humble way1
 ^! books %all be ! ambassadors ( good-w
 & und]/&+ betwe5 ,ea/ & ,we/1 ! old _w 
( ,?\ght & ! new ( ,action4  ,9 ?is     
endeav\r1 & 9 _! own sph]e1 !y are b    
foll[]s ( ! highe/ example 9 ! l&4  ,!y 
are confid5t t a deep] k ( ! great      
ideals & l(ty philosophy ( ,ori5tal     
?\ght may help to a revival ( t true _s 
( ,*>ity :i* nei!r despises nor fe>s !  
nations ( ano!r cre$ & col\r4  ,f9ally1 
9 ?ank+ press & public = ! v cordial    
reception giv5 to ! ,wisdom ( ! ,ea/    
,s]ies1 !y wi% to /ate t no pa9s h be5  
sp>$ to secure ! be/ speciali/s = !     
treatm5t ( ! v>i\s subjects at h&4      
,,london  ,,john ,,murray1 ,,albem>le   
,,/reet1 ,w4   ,,wisdom ,,( ,,! ,,ea/   
,,s]ies  ,9 ,pott l#fmo1 price #a_/- ea*
 net 9 clo? limp 7except+ ! fir/ two    
volumes7   ,! ,tea*+s ( ,zoroa/]  ,,&   
,! ,philosophy ( ! ,p>si ,religion      

,translat$ ) ,introduction by ,,dr4 ,s4 
,a4 ,,kapadia1 ,lectur] ,univ]sity      
,college1 ,london1 #b_/- net4   ,!      
,awak5+ ( ! ,s\l  ,f ! ,arabic ( ,,ibn  
,,tufail4  ,translat$ ) ,introduction by
 ,,paul ,,bronnle1 ,ph4,d4  #a_/f net4  
,! ,duties ( ! ,he>t  ,by ,,rabbi       
,,ba*ye4  ,translat$ f ! ,hebrew )      
,introduction by ,,edw9 ,,coll9s1       
,holli] ,hebrew ,s*ol>1 ,u4,c4,l4   ,!  
,classics ( ,confucius     ,i4 ,! ,book 
( ,hi/ory 7,%u-,k+7        ,by ,w4      
,,gorn ,,old    ,,ii4 ,! ,book ( ,odes  
7,%i-,k+7        ,by ,l4                
,,cranm]-,,byng4   ,,iii4 ,! ,book (    
,*anges 7,i-,k+7 ,9 prep>ation4   ,!    
,say+s ( ,lao ,tzu  ,f ! ,*9ese4        
,translat$ ) ,introduction by ,,lionel  
,,giles1 ( ! ,briti% ,museum4   ,!      
,religion ( ! ,koran  ,) ,introduction  
by ,,ar?ur ,n4 ,,wolla/on1 ,c4,i4,e4    
,wom5 & ,wisdom ( ,japan  ,)            
,introduction by ,s4 ,,takai%i4   ,!    
,rose ,g>d5 ( ,sa'di  ,select$ & ,r5d]$ 
f ! ,p]sian ) ,introduction by ,l4      

,,cranm]-,,byng4   ,! ,wisdom ( ,israel3
 ,be+ ,extracts f ! ,babylonian ,talmud 
& ,midra% ,rabbo?  ,translat$ f !       
,aramaic ) an ,introduction by ,,edw9   
,,coll9s4   ,! ,in/ructions (           
,ptah-,hotep  ,f ! ,egyptian4           
,translat$ ) ,introduction by           
,,battiscombe ,g4 ,,gunn4    ,o!rs 9    
prep>ation1 & w be duly ann\nc$   ,all  
lit]>y communications to be address$ to 
! ,editors at #d1 ,,h>c\rt ,,build+s1   
,,inn] ,,temple1 ,,london    ,n4,b4--,! 
,editors w be pleas$ to receive         
sugge/ions & communications f all p]sons
 int]e/$ 9 ,ori5tal lit]ature4