“Be diligent at all times.  Do more than is commanded.  Waste not the time wherein thou canst labour; he is an abominable man who maketh a bad use of his time.  Lose no chance day by day in adding to the riches of thy house.  Work produceth wealth, and wealth endureth not when work is abandoned.

“If thou art a wise man, beget a son who shall be pleasing unto God.

“If thou art a wise man, be master of thy house.  Love thy wife absolutely, give her food in abundance, and raiment for her back; these are the medicines for her body.  Anoint her with unguents, and make her happy as long as thou livest.  She is thy field, and she reflecteth credit on her possessor.  Be not harsh in thy house, for she will be more easily moved by persuasion than by violence.  Satisfy her wish, observe what she expecteth, and take note of that whereon she hath fixed her gaze.  This is the treatment that will keep her in her house; if thou repel her advances, it is ruin for thee.  Embrace her, call her by fond names, and treat her lovingly.

“Treat thy dependants as well as thou art able, for this is the duty of those whom God hath blessed.

“If thou art a wise man, and if thou hast a seat in the council chamber of thy lord, concentrate thy mind on the business [so as to arrive at] a wise decision.  Keep silence, for this is better than to talk overmuch.  When thou speakest thou must know what can be urged against thy words.  To speak in the council chamber [needeth] skill and experience.

“If thou hast become a great man having once been a poor man, and hast attained to the headship of the city, study not to take the fullest advantage of thy situation.  Be not harsh in respect of the grain, for thou art only an overseer of the food of God.

“Think much, but keep thy mouth closed; if thou dost not how canst thou consult with the nobles?  Let thy opinion coincide with that of thy lord.  Do what he saith, and then he shall say of thee to those who are listening, ‘This is my son.’”

The above and all the other Precepts of Ptah-hetep were drawn up for the guidance of highly-placed young men, and have little to do with practical, every-day morality.  But whilst the Egyptian scribes who lived under the Middle and New Empires were ready to pay all honour to the writings of an earlier age, they were not slow to perceive that the older Precepts did not supply advice on every important subject, and they therefore proceeded to write supplementary Precepts.  A very interesting collection of such Precepts is found in a papyrus preserved in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.  They are generally known as the “Maxims of Ani,” and the following examples will illustrate their scope and character: 

“Celebrate thou the festival of thy God, and repeat the celebration thereof in its appointed season.  God is wroth with the transgressor of this law.  Bear testimony [to Him] after thy offering....

“The opportunity having passed, one seeketh [in vain] to seize another.