Egyptian Precepts and Proverbs

• Egyptian Precepts
• Egyptian Proverbs

Egyptian Precepts

The hard shell of metaphors has to be cracked open. And then you see.

Rulers should aim to make their people prosperous.

Those who have bread need to share it with the hungry.

Humble and lowly people must be treated with kindness.
      And why? Because it would profit a man to act justly.

Egyptian proverbs influenced the proverbs of the Bible; they, too, are brief statements. [Ebu, "ethics"]
      Below are some Egyptian precepts and proverbs to ponder. - Tormod Kinnes

Beautiful discourse is rarer than emerald, yet it can be found among the servant girls at the grindstones. [Ptah-Hotep]

Declare your line of conduct without reticence. [Ptah-Hotep]

Do not weaken the attention of him who is occupied. [Ptah-Hotep]

Error carries away the unteachable. [Ptah-Hotep]

Evil words fill some with astonishment. [Ptah-Hotep]

Great God is the ruler of all the gods. [Papyrus of Ani, modified]

If you are a leader of peace, listen to the discourse of the petitioner. Be not abrupt with him; that would trouble him. [Ptah-Hotep]

If you are wise, look after your house; love your wife without alloy. [Ptah-Hotep]

It is a wretched thing to injure a poor man.

The man who has plenty of means of existence, conducts himself pretty much as he himself wishes. [Ptah-Hotep, modified]

Know those who are faithful to you when you are in low estate. [Ptah-Hotep]

Learn to rise up out of the enigmatic egg in the hidden land. [Papyrus of Ani, modified]

Hermopolitan creation had several variations of the Golden Egg myth. In one, the Cosmic Egg was laid by the Great Cackler, i.e., the celestial goose [also: Great Honker], while in another, the egg was laid by an ibis, the bird identified with the god Thoth. In a third variation, a lotus flower emerged from the waters and opened to reveal a child-god.
      SIDELIGHTS: (1) Ancient Hindu myths tell of the Cosmic Egg, Hiranyagarbha, also called God Creator, i.e., Brahma. (2) American Indians thought the Great Spirit burst from a giant golden egg to create the world.

May no lies be spoken against me in the presence of God. [Papyrus of Ani, modified]

My KA dwells in my body. Insult it not. [Papyrus of Ani, elaborated]

• Kha (Khat) - The physical body that may decompose.
• Ka - The vital linga (shape) or spiritual type of man, ordinarily inseparable from the human body, and also like a guardian angel [or composite soul] to some. Its lower body [or part] is good knowledge reaped here on earth.
• Ba - "the human in heaven" side of man, the useful person side of him.

One should do nothing with a false heart. [Papyrus of Ani, modified]

Shining I Inside, let Him guide my heart. [Papyrus of Ani, modified]

That which is said in your heart, let it be realized by springing up spontaneously - [Ptah-Hotep]

The great Heaven [the Ocean inside] is found inside the Eye of God - [Papyrus of Ani, modified]

The wise man is great through his own merits. [Ptah-Hotep]

Those who are in the following of the prince of everlastingness and God of Life, sing with joy. [Papyrus of Ani, modified]

To seek without finding, equals waste of time. [Papyrus of Ani, modified]

Wealth can come through your Creator's good-will. [With Ptah-Hotep]

When a son attends to his father, it is a twofold joy for both; when wise things are prescribed to him, the son is [to be] gentle. [Ptah-Hotep]

When He opens up His path, may He carry me along, safe and sound. [Papyrus of Ani, modified]

When you speak, know that which can be brought against you. [Ptah-Hotep]

Who has not done any evil act, his or her heart may be found right. [Papyrus of Ani, modified]

Wise rising gives joy. [Papyrus of Ani, amplified]

SOURCES:

• Old Egyptian Sayings
• The Papyrus of Ani

Egyptian Proverbs

Be patient with a bad neighbour: he may move or face misfortune.

Bed is the poor man's opera.

Borrowing is bad, and paying back is a loss. (Counsel to discourage borrowing.)

Does sheep manure turn to caramel? (Don't expect a bad person to suddenly turn good.)

Dress up a stick and you get a doll. (Clothes and cosmetics can make the ugly look quite pretty. So don't be fooled by appearances.)

Education is what you know, not what's in the book. (Thinking can be more important than collecting material. So: people should try to use their minds too.)

Grapes are eaten one by one. (One step at a time.)

I believe what you say, I'm only surprised at what you do. (Your words contradict your actions. Used when someone's actions contradict his speech etc.)

If you "marry" a monkey for his wealth, the money goes and the monkey remains. (Don't get attracted by money. It is said to a girl who wants to marry for riches.)

If you have to drag a dog to the hunt, neither he nor his hunting is any good. (Someone who does unwillingly what he is supposed to do quite naturally, may not work all right. Used for commenting on someone who does not perform up to standards he or she is supposed to do.)

If you live in a glass house, don't throw stones (What you do to others may come round - and aren't you vulnerable?)

If your friend is like honey, don't lick all of it! (Do not take advantage of the sweetness of a dear friend! Used to take to task someone who abuses the generosity of a friend.)

Learn politeness from the impolite.

Making money on manure is better than losing money on musk.

Money goes to peacocks (Vainglorious people get wealth also.)

Protect the flame of your candle and it will light more. (Don't brag about your blessings or you could lose them. Use: As in "A cake watched never rises".)

Stretch your legs as far as your quilt (blanket) goes. (Do not do what you cannot afford.)

The costly news of today will be free tomorrow. (What becomes common, its value may drop.)

The miserable got together with the hopeless. (Little good may come out of such a union. Used to comment on two disadvantaged people who want to join efforts.)

The son of the swan is a good swimmer (Like father like son. Used when a son is able, just like his father, etc.)

They couldn't beat the donkey so they beat the saddle! (Suggested: Address the source of the problem, rather.)

We let him in, he brought his donkey along. (Be careful with some people, they try to take advantage of others. This proverb is used when somebody doesn't stop at the limits set for him or her.)

What comes this way, goes this way. (Also: Easy come, easy go.)

SOURCES: These proverbs are had from a variety of sources.




Literature  
      Ebu: Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica 2007 Ultimate Reference Suite DVD. London: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2007 (Last Edition).
     


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