Miriam Lichtheim Quotes

When a man remains over after death,
His deeds are set beside him as treasure, And being yonder lasts forever.
A fool is who does what they reprove!

The cardinal virtues are self-control, moderation,
kindness, generosity, justice, and truthfulness tempered by discretion

Cleanse yourself before your (own) eyes,
Lest another cleanse you.
When you prosper, found your household,
Take a hearty wife, a son will be born you.
It is for the son you build a house,
When you make a place for yourself.
Make good your dwelling in the graveyard,
Make worthy your station in the West.
Given that death humbles us,
Given that life exalts us,
The house of death is for life.
Seek for yourself well-watered fields,
Choose for him, a plot among your fields,
Well-watered every year.
He profits you more than your own son,
Prefer him even to your [heir].

The Instruction of Prince Hardjedef

THE INSTRUCTION OF PTAHHOTEP
Epilogue
Part II

The fool who does not hear,
He can do nothing at all;
He sees knowledge in ignorance,
Usefulness in harmfulness.
He does all that one detests
And is blamed for it each day;
He lives on that by which one dies.
His food is distortion of speech.
His sort is known to the officials,
Who say: "A living death each day."
One passes over his doings,
Because of his many daily troubles.

A son who hears is a follower of Horus,
It goes well with him when he has heard.
When he is old has reached veneration.
He will speak likewise to his children,
Renewing the teaching of his father.
Every man teaches as he acts,
He will speak to the children,
So that they will speak to their children:
Set an example, don't give offense,
If justice stands firm your children will live.

As to the first who gets into trouble,
When they see (it) people will say:
"That is just like him."
And will say to what they hear:
"That's just like him too."

To see everyone is to satisfy the many,
Riches are useless without them.
Don't take a word and then bring it back,
Don't put one thing in place of another.
Beware of loosening the cords in you,
Lest a wise man say:
"Listen, if you want to endure in the mouth of the hearers.
Speak after you have mas

Good nature is a man's heaven,
The cursing of the [furious] is painful.
If you are skilled in speech, you will win,
The tongue is [a king's] sword;
Speaking is stronger than all fighting,
The skillful is not overcome.

Wealthy is he who is rich in his nobles.
Speak truth in your house.

The sundisk, covered, shines not for people to see,
One cannot live when clouds conceal.

The gatekeeper comes out to you,
He grasps your hand,
Takes you into heaven, to your father Geb.
He rejoices at your coming,
lives you his hands,
Kisses you, caresses you,

Utterance 373
Antechamber, West Wall
The king is raised from his tomb