The Instruction of Amen

8/12/2019 The Instruction of Amen

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The Instruction of Amen-em-apt, son of KanakhtXIX / XXth Dynasty - ca. 1292 - 10! "#$

the tran%ui& an' honest man

(ho &ets his heart enter its shrine

)y *im +an 'en Dunen

Amenhotep, son of apuXIIIth Dynasty - #airo useum

The source the "u'e apyrus - " 10.

The person of Amen-em-apt an' his time.The te4t of the Instruction of Amen-em-apt.5otes.

6emarks.$yptian sacre' &iterature.$yptian (is'om &iterature.

1. The source the "u'e apyrus - " 10.
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'isco+ery an' ear&y research

The Instruction oAmen-em-apt 8Amenemope or Amenophis, son of Kanakht, is oneof the numerous sp&en'i' an' important treasures (hich "u'e, on his first mission

o $ypt, ac%uire' for the 8at the time imperia& "ritish useum in 1:::. The ear&iestreference to it in print (as a +aue remark )y ;epae 6enouf soon after. As &ate as923 8(hen the papyrus (as first presente' to the pu)&ic, 'i' the officia& pu)&ication

appear in the secon' series of "u'e


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A&&.

As the much o&'er Instruction of tahhotep, the instruction is comp&ete. >ma&&

portions of it (ere foun' on a papyrus in >tockho&m, three (ritin ta)&ets in Turin,aris an' osco(, an' an ostracon in the #airo useum. This +ariety points to its

popu&arity.

riffith 81927, p.227 conc&u'es that the script an' orthoraphy of >enu in " 10

point to a scri)e of the XXth Dynasty at the ear&iest, an' the rein of Darius at the&atest, (hereas the Turin ta)&ets 8pro)a)&y copie' from the papyrus )y 'ictationcannot )e ear&ier that the "u'e apyrus. The &iterary composition of the (ork is

enera&&y assine' to the 6amessi'e perio' 8XIX - XXth Dynasty or ca. 1292 - 10!

"#$, (hereas the persona&ity of the sae in+oke' is not ear&ier than the XIIIthDynasty. #ou&' it )e that >enu (as part of the enera& restoration efforts of the$thiopian, 5u)ian Dynasty 8cf. haraoh >ha)akaan' the emphis theo&oy F

ay)e he (as a scri)e of the >aite Dynasty 877 - !2! "#$, an' its return to theo&' canon F

>o fo&&o(in tempora& &ayers may )e 'iscerne'

the "u'e apyrus

copie' )y the scri)e >enu from ear&ier sources )et(een ca.12 - 332 "#$ G the actua& &iterary composition

the instruction (as (ritten )et(een ca. 1292 - 10! "#$ G

the person of Amen-em-apt

&i+e' 8or (as proecte' to &i+e not ear&ier than ca.1!39 "#$.

The trans&ation of the te4t of our sae pro+e' to )e 'ifficu&t. =or @riffith 81927, this(as 'ue to the artificia& mo'e of e4pression, usin rare an' poetica& (or's an'

i'ioms. #oncise phraseo&oy an' fe( rammatica& connectors, short an'

'isconnecte' sentences, ine4act spe&&in an' scri)a& errors point to the possi)i&ity ofmany errors. a&f a century &ater, ;ichtheim 8197 a''e' that many a&&usions

escape' her.

The present trans&ation is that of a phi&osopher an' a 'e'icate' amateur of thins$yptian. =or the &o+e of it, I ha+e trie' to stay c&ose to the oriina&, e4p&ainin

'ifficu&t passaes in footnotes. 5o 'ou)t those more &earne' in $yptian (i&& ha+ereason to smi&e.

Do not erase another


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&o( your fie&'s an' Hou (i&& fin' (hat Hou nee',Hou (i&& recei+e )rea' from your o(n threshin-f&oor.

Amen-em-apt, chapter 723-27

2 The person of Amen-em-apt an' his time.

a poetica& name E fami&y for a (ise man F

he sae of our instruction is ca&&e' Amen-em-apt, son of Kanakht, may ha+e )een a

contemporary of Amenhotep, son of apu. e cou&' a&so ha+e )een a &iterary fiureuse' )y a (ise 6amessi'e scri)e. $4cept for o+erseer of fie&'s 8113 an' scri)e(ho 'etermine' the offerins for a&& the o's 8122, no other of the tit&e cite' )y

our sae are foun' on the monuments or papyri ? is tit&es seem paraphrases in&iterary, poetica& form.

et us ana&yCe our saetron "u&& is unusua& as a name, )ut a reu&ar part of haraoheti II. Inthe 5e( Kin'om, or-em-maakher or orus of the oriCon 8armachis, (as

i'entifie' (ith the sphin4 at @iCa, &ookin to(ar' the eastern horiCon. The name'ates as far )ack as the XIIth Dynasty, an' seems to appear in the >aite perio' as

(e&& as in ear&y to&emaic 'ocuments.


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the po&itica& situation at the time of Amen-em-apt

o&itica&&y, the 5e( Kin'om )rouht internationa&iCation, (hich 'efie' the

particu&arism of the &' an' i''&e Kin'oms. =rom yceanae, Knossos, itanni,"a)y&on, an' from the ittites, Assyrians, ;i)yans E 5u)ians ifts E tra'e oo's

(ere f&o(in in. The XIIIth E XIXth Dynasties pro'uce' reat monuments oftheocratic statesmanship.

The rein of Amenhotep III (as a perio' of sta)i&ity an' peace, the foun'ations of

(hich ha' )een &ai' )y Tuthmosis I, (ho ha' )rouht to en' 'eca'es of mi&itaryonf&ict )et(een the t(o reat po(ers of the era, $ypt an' the kin'om of itanni,that stru&e' concernin contro& o+er northern >yria. The court of Amenhotep III

ecame an internationa& center +isite' )y am)assa'ors of many nations. $+en Asiatic'eities such as 6eshef, Astarte, "aa& an' Ju'shu (ere (orshippe'. ;u4urious &i+inn a settin of peace reache' its c&ima4 un'er Amenhotep III. e ne+er set foot in his

Asiatic empire )ut ac%uire' princesses for his harem an' &a+ishe' o&' on his a&&ies.

The ae of empire 'i' not focus on po(er, (ea&th an' &u4ury on&y. The inte&&ectua&

horiCon ha' a&so )roa'ene'. #uriosity an' to&erance for foreiners rose. >cri)es ha'to )e )i&inua& an' forein &anuaes (ere fashiona)&e. $specia&&y re&iious thinkin

ha' )een affecte' )y this internationa&ism.

The temp&e of ;u4or, the 'ou)&e temp&e of >o&e) an' >e'eina 85u)ia an' themortuary temp&e at the *est )ank of The)es 8'estroye' )y an earth%uake, &ea+in

the 20 tons #o&ossi of emnon, suestin the oriina& siCe of the )ui&'in an'

haraoh


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nscriptions are preser+e' on +esse&s from his pa&ace at e&-a&%ata, on the *est )ankof The)es. e ce&e)rate' t(o repetitions of this festi+a& )efore his 'eath. apanese

4ca+ations unco+ere' a po'ium for a throne. It has thirty steps, (hich stan' for thehirty years that ha' one )y. The festi+a& (as c&ear&y a repetition of the coronation.

n it, he ca&&e' himse&f the DaCC&in >un an' at his si'e his chief (ife, Teye, p&aye'the ro&e of athor, (ho stoo' for a&& aspects of reu+enation E reeneration. Durin

the festi+a&, Amenhotep III en'ea+ore' to ather all the deitiesof the T(o ;an's toperform its ceremonies in front of the shrines containin their +arious 'i+ine

imaes ... e is a&so seen (orshippin an' offerin to himse&f as a o' ?

The importance of the Aten re( throuhout Amenhotep IIIo&ar

Theo&oy (as acti+e aroun' him, heprevented this single god (Re) from gaining the

upper hand.;are scara)s connect him (ith numerous 'eities.

The story oes that the ae' E sick haraoh 8(ho ha' recei+e' from the kin ofitanni a hea&in statue of Ishtar commissione' 8instea' of askin Ishtar a tota& of

30 82 4 37! statues of the ;ion-hea'e' o''ess >ekhmet, consort of tah, she (ho

'ispense' i&&ness an' its cure. e set up this ;itany in >tone in +arious temp&es athe)es to protect him 'ay E niht. #&ear&y Amenhotep III 'i' not (ant to promote 6e

an' his physica& 'isk, the Aten, a&one ?

There (ere 'efinite&y ten'encies -an' not on&y at the roya& court- that ran counter to

he 5e( >o&ar Theo&oy an' its e&e+ation of a sin&e o' o+er the entire pantheon ina manner that (as a&toether too one-si'e' an', in that respect, un-$yptian.

ornun, 1999, p.20.

The Instruction of Amen-em-aptAmen-em-apt, son of Kanakht for his son or-em-maakher

.. a''itions in $n&ish

..M restoration- short &acuna

..O uncertain or corrupt
http://www.maat.sofiatopia.org/egyptbiblio.htm#fhttp://www.maat.sofiatopia.org/egyptbiblio.htm#hhttp://www.maat.sofiatopia.org/egyptbiblio.htm#fhttp://www.maat.sofiatopia.org/egyptbiblio.htm#h


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t&es in tea& (ere a''e' an' the num)erin is re'one 8on the riht si'e, the )einnin of theections of the papyrus itse&f (ere a''e' in )o&'. This trans&ation is )ase' on a&& mentione're+ious trans&ations )y @riffith, ;ane, ;ichtheim E "runner as (e&& as on the hiero&yphic

anscriptionof the hieratic )y ;ane an' @riffith.

6;@B$

he book

1 "einnin of the teachin for &ife, I

2 the instructions for (e&&-)ein,3 e+ery ru&e for re&ations (ith e&'ers, 8an' for con'uct to(ar' maistrates.

! Kno(in ho( to ans(er one (ho speaks,7 to rep&y to one (ho sen's a messae, so as to 'irect him on the paths of &ife,

: to make him prosper upon $arth,9 to &et his heart enter its shrine,1

0 steerin 8it c&ear of e+i&,

1 to sa+e him from the mouth of straners,2 to &et 8him )e praise' in the mouth of men.

he author

3 a'e )y the o+erseer of fie&'s, e4perience' in his office, the offsprin of a scri)e of $ypt.

! The o+erseer of rains, (ho contro&s the (e'at-measure,2

7 (ho sets the har+est-'ues for his ;or', (ho reisters the is&an's of ne( &an',

: in the reat name of his aesty,9 (ho recor's the markers on the )or'ers of fie&'s,

0 (ho acts for the Kin in his &istin of ta4es, II1 (ho makes the &an'-reister of the "&ack ;an'.3

2 The scri)e (ho 'etermines the offerins for a&& the o's,4

3 (ho i+es &an'-&eases to the peop&e,

the o+erseer of rains, Lpro+i'er ofM 5foo's,

! (ho supp&ies the ranary (ith rains.7 The tru&y si&ent in Thinite Ta-(er,6
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the ustifie' in Ipu,7

: (ho o(ns a pyrami' on the (est of >enu,8

9 (ho has a chape& at A)y'os,

0 Amen-em-apt, the son of Kanakht,1 the ustifie' in Ta-(er.

he addressee

2 8=or his son, the younest of his chi&'ren,3 the sma&&est of his fami&y, the 'e+otee of in-Kamutef,9

! the (ater-pourer of *ennofer,10

7 (ho p&aces orus on his father


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1 Hou (i&& fin' my (or's a storehouse for &ife, 8an' IV2 your )o'y (i&& )e (e&& upon $arth.

hapter 2 'o not stea&

1 "e(are of ro))in a poor (retch,

2 of attackin a cripp&e.3 Do not stretch out your han' to touch an o&' man, nor Nsnatch 8at the (or' ofO19a reat one.

! Do not &et yourse&f )e sent on a (icke' erran',7 nor )e frien's (ith him (ho 'oes it. Do not raise an outcry aainst one (ho attacks Hou,: nor return him an ans(er yourse&f.

9 e (ho 'oes e+i&, the shore reects him,0 its f&oo'(ater carries him a(ay,

1 the north (in' comes 'o(n to en' his hour,2 it min&es (ith the thun'erstorm, 8an'3 the storm c&ou' is ta&&, the croco'i&es are +icious.

Hou heate' man, ho( are Hou no( F! e cries out, his +oice reaches hea+en.7 It is the oon 20(ho 'ec&ares his crime.

>teer, 8so that (e may ferry the (icke' 8o+er, V: 8as (e 'o not act &ike his kin' ?9 ;ift him up, i+e him your han',0 commit him 8in the han's of the o'. 21

1 =i&& his )e&&y (ith )rea' of your o(n,

2 that he )e sate' an' see.

3 Another thin oo' in the heart of the o'22

to pause )efore speakin.

hapter 3 pru'ence in speech

1 Do not start a %uarre& (ith a hot-mouthe' man,2 nor nee'&e him (ith (or's.

3 ause )efore an intru'er, )en' )efore an attacker, s&eep 8on it )efore speakin.

! A storm that )ursts &ike fire in stra(,
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7 such is the heate' man in his hour. *ith'ra( from him, &ea+e him a&one.

: The o'kno(s23ho( to ans(er him.

9 If Hou make your &ife (ith these 8(or's in your heart,

0 Hour chi&'ren (i&& o)ser+e them.

hapter the t(o types of men

1 As to the heate' man24in the temp&e, VI2 he is &ike a tree ro(in Nin'oorsO,258on&y3 a moment &asts its ro(th of NshootsO,268an' its en' comes a)out in the N(oo'she'O,278or

! it is f&oate' far from its p&ace,7 the f&ame is its )uria& shrou'.

The tru&y si&ent, (ho keeps apart,: he is &ike a tree ro(n in a mea'o(,9 it reens, it 'ou)&es its yie&',

0 it stan's in front of its ;or',1 its fruit is s(eet, its sha'e 'e&ihtfu&,2 its en' is reache' in the ar'en.

hapter ! honest an' tran%ui& ser+ice

1 Do not fa&sify the temp&e rations.

2 Do not rasp an' Hou (i&& fin' profit.3 Do not remo+e a ser+ant of o',28

so as to 'o fa+ours to another.

! Do not say


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! #&in to the si&ent, then Hou fin' &ife, 8an'7 your )ein (i&& prosper upon $arth.

hapter 7 stea& no &an' an' eat from your o(n fie&'

1 Do not mo+e the markers on the )or'ers of fie&'s.2 5or shift the position of the measurin-cor'.3 Do not )e ree'y for a cu)it of &an'.

5or encroach on the )oun'aries of a (i'o(.! The tro''en furro( (orn 'o(n )y time,7 he (ho 'isuises it in the fie&'s, (hen he has snare' 8it )y fa&se oaths,

: he (i&& )e cauht )y the miht of the oon.29

9 6econiCe him (ho 'oes this on $arth ? VIII0 e is an oppressor of the (eak,

1 a foe (orkin to 'estroy your )o'y.2 The takin of &ife is in his eye,3 his house is an enemy to the to(n,

his )arns (iI& )e 'estroye',! his (ea&th (iI& )e seiCe' from his chi&'ren


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2 comes mornin, 8an' they ha+e +anishe'.

3 "etter is po+erty in the han' of the o',33

than (ea&th in the storehouse.! "etter is )rea' (ith a happy heart,34

7 than (ea&th (ith +e4ation.

hapter seek no (ea&th

1 Do not set your heart 35on (ea&th ?2 There is no inorin >hay an' 6enenet ?36

3 Do not &et your heart o strayin,378for e+ery man comes to his hour.! Do not &a)our to seek increase,

7 (hat Hou ha+e, &et it suffice Hou.

If riches come to Hou )y theft,

: they (i&& not stay the niht (ith Hou.9 #omes mornin, 8an' they are not in your house G0 their p&ace is seen )ut they are not there

1 $arth opene' its mouth, &e+e&e' them, s(a&&o(e' them,2 an' ma'e them sink into the Duat,388or X3 they ma'e a ho&e as )i as their siCe, an' sank into the Duat,398or! they ma'e themse&+es (ins &ike eese,

7 an' f&e( a(ay to the sky.

Do not reoice in (ea&th from theft,

: nor comp&ain of )ein poor.9 If the &ea'in archer presses for(ar',0 his company a)an'ons him ?

1 The )oat of the ree'y is &eft 8in the mu',2 (hi&e the )ark of the tran%ui& sai&s (ith the (in'.

3 Hou sha&& pray to the Aten40(hen he rises, sayin


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hapter : speak no e+i&

1 >et your oo'ness in the )e&&y of men,41

2 then Hou are reete' )y a&&.3 ne (e&comes the Braei-serpents.42

ne spits upon the Apopis-snake.43

! @uar' your tonue from harmfu& speech,

7 then Hou (i&& )e &o+e' )y others. XI Hou (i&& fin' your p&ace in the temp&e.: Hou (i&& share in the )rea'-offerins of your ;or'.9 *hen Hou are re+ere' an' your coffin concea&s Hou,0 Hou (i&& )e safe from the po(er of o'.44

1 Do not shout


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7 )ut his &oa' is fa&sehoo'. e is the ferryman of snarin (or's,

: he oes an' comes (ith %uarre&s.

9 *hen he eats an' 'rinks insi'e,0 his ans(er is 8hear' outsi'e.

1 The 'ay he is chare' (ith his crime,2 is misfortune for his chi&'ren.

3 If on&y Khnum 49came to him ? The potter to the fiery-mouthe' man,! so as to knea' his Nstates of min'O. 50

7 e is &ike a youn (o&f in the farmyar',

he turns one eye aainst the other,

: he causes )rothers to %uarre&, XIII9 he runs )efore e+ery (in' &ike c&ou's,0 he 'ims the ra'iance of the >un,

1 he f&ips his tai& &ike the croco'i&e


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1 Do not co+et a poor manteer a(ay from the poor man on the roa'.2 ;ook at him an' keep c&ear of his oo's.

hapter 12 a&(ays )e honest

1 Do not 'esire a no)&e


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0 he (i&& ne+er 8aain )e sent on another occasion.

hapter 13 (rite no fa&sehoo's an' ac%uit 'e)t

1 Do not cheat a man 8throuh pen on scro&& ?

2 The o' a)hors it ? 62

3 Do not )ear (itness (ith fa&se (or's, XVI so as to )rush asi'e a man )y your tonue.

! Do not assess a man (ho has nothin,7 an' thus fa&sify your pen.

If Hou fin' a &are 'e)t aainst a poor man,: make it into three parts,9 fori+e t(o, &et one stan'.

0 Hou (i&& fin' it a path of &ife.1 After s&eep, (hen Hou (ake in the mornin,2 Hou (i&& fin' it as oo' ne(s ?

3 "etter is praise (ith the &o+e of men, than (ea&th in the storehouse.

! "etter is )rea' (ith a happy heart,7 than (ea&th (ith +e4ation.

hapter 1 )e 'inifie'

1 Do not reca&& yourse&f to a man,63

2 nor &a)our to seek his han'.

3 If he says to Hou a&ute him (ith your mouth, say


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1 Do the oo' an' Hou(i&& prosper Nas IO 65?2 Do not 'ip your pen to inure a man, 8for

3 the finer of the scri)e is the )eak of the I)is,66

)e(are of )rushin it asi'e ?

! The Ape'(e&&s in the ouse of Khmun,67

7 his eye encirc&es the T(o ;an's.68

*hen he sees one (ho cheats (ith his finer,

: he carries his &i+e&ihoo' off in the f&oo'.

9 The scri)e (ho cheats (ith his finer,0 his son (i&& not )e enro&&e'.

1 If Houmake your &ife (ith these 8(or's in your heart,2 your chi&'ren (i&& o)ser+e them.

hapter 17 'o not corrupt the )a&ance

1 Do not tamper the sca&es, 69nor fa&sify the (eihts,2 nor 'iminish the fractions of the measure.

3 Do not 'esire a measure of the fie&'s, 8an' then ne&ect those of the treasury.

! The Ape sits )ythe )a&ance,70

7 his heart is in the p&ummet.71 XVIII *here is a o' as reat as Thoth F72

: *ho in+ente' these thins an' ma'e them F

9 Do not make for yourse&f 'eficient (eihts,0 they are rich in rief73throuh the miht of o'.74

1 If Hou see someone (ho cheats,2 keep your 'istance from him.3 Do not co+et copper,

'is'ain )eautifu& &inen.! *hat oo' is one 'resse' in finery,7 if he cheats )efore the o' F75

=aience 'isuise' as o&',

: comes mornin, 8an' it turns to &ea'.
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hapter 1 'o not corrupt the measure

1 "e(are of 'isuisin the (e'at-measure,2 so as to fa&sify its fractions.

3 Do not force it to o+erf&o(, nor &et its )e&&y )e empty.76

! easure accor'in to its true siCe,

7 your han' c&earin e4act&y.

Do not make a )ushe& of t(ice its siCe,: for then Hou are hea'e' for the f&oo'.

9 The )ushe& is the $ye of 6e,77

0 it a)hors him (ho trims. XIX1 A measurer (ho in'u&es in cheatin,

2 his $ye sea&s 8the +er'ict aainst him.

3 Do not accept a farmer


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2 There is no perfection )efore the o',83

3 )ut there is fai&ure )efore him.

If one &a)ours to seek perfection, XX! in a moment he has marre' it.

7 Keep firm your min', 8an' stea'y your 8physica& heart.84

'o not steer (ith your tonue.85

: If a man


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1 Do not make for yourse&f fa&se 'ocuments,

2 they are a 'ea'&y pro+ocation,

3 they 8mean the reat restrainin oath, they 8mean a hearin )y the hera&'.

! Do not fa&sify the orac&es in the scro&&s,7 an' thus 'istur) the p&ans of o'.89

Do not use for yourse&f the miht of o',90

: as if there (ere no >hay an' 6enenet.

9 an' o+er property to its o(ners,0 thus 'o Hou seek &ife for yourse&f.1 Do not raise your heart


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hapter 22 pro+oke no enemy

1 Do not pro+oke your a'+ersary,2 so as to 8make him te&& his thouhts.

3 Do not &eap to come )efore him,

(hen Hou 'o not see his 'oins. XXIII

! =irst ain insiht from his ans(er,

7 then keep sti&& an' Hou (i&& succee'. ;ea+e it to him to empty his )e&&y,: kno( ho( to s&eep, he (i&& )e foun' out.

9 @rasp his feet, 'o not harm him.0 "e (ary of him, 'o not inore him.1 In'ee' Hou 'o not kno( the p&ans of o',

2 an' shou&' not (eep for tomorro(.98

3 >ett&e in the arms of the o', 8an'

your si&ence (i&& o+erthro( them.

hapter 23 min' your ta)&e manners

1 $at no )rea' in the presence of an officia&,2 an' then set your mouth )efore 8him.

3 IfHou are sate', preten' to che(, content yourse&f (ith your sa&i+a.! ;ook at the )o(& that is )efore Hou,

7 an' &et it ser+e your nee's.

An officia& is reat in his office,

: as a (e&& is rich in 'ra(ins of (ater.

hapter 2 ha+e 'iscretion

1 Do not &isten to an officia&


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! The heart of man is a ift of o',

7 )e(are of ne&ectin it.100

The man at the si'e of an officia&, 8tru&y

: his name shou&' not )e kno(n.

hapter 2! respect o'


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2 The )ack is not )roken )y )en'in it.3 A man 'oes not &ose )y speakin s(eet&y,

nor 'oes he ain if his speech is stra(.106

! The pi&ot (ho sees from afar,

7 he (i&& not (reck his )oat.107

hapter 2 'o not re+i&e an e&'er

1 Do not re+i&e one o&'er than Hou, 8for2 he has seen 6e )efore Hou.108

3 ;et 8him not report Hou to the Aten at his risin,109

sayin


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! It is no crime in the han' of the o',113

7 NIf the sai&or 'oes not (e&come Hou.O114 XXVII

Do not make yourse&f a ferry on the ri+er,: an' then &a)our to seek its fare.

9 Take the fare from him (ho is (ea&thy,0 an' &et pass him (ho is poor.

hapter 30 $pi&oue

1 ;ook to these thirty chapters 2 they inform, they e'ucate,

3 they are the foremost of a&& )ooks, they make the inorant (ise.115

! If they are rea' to the inorant,7 he is c&eanse' throuh them.

"e fi&&e' (ith them, put them in your heart,: an' )ecome a man (ho interprets them,9 one (ho e4p&ains as a teacher.

0 The scri)e (ho is ski&&e' in his office,1 is foun' (orthy to )e a courtier.116

o&ophon

hat is its en'.

*ritten )y >enu, son of the 'i+ine father emu. XXVIII

. 5otes.

) the "shrine" of the heart is the sacred place of the "inner od"! a concept deeloped in the #atee% &indo'! %hen personal piet eca'e f*ll part of +pt,s c*lt*ral for' (cf- .'ns to /'*n) nterin its "shrine"! the heart ('ind! desire! %ill) is ro*ht efore the od! enalin the latter to%ell in the person altho*h this instr*ction also deelops old the'es s*ch as ood disco*rse

f- tahhotep)! the spirit*al and reliio*s di'ensions are 'ore e'phasied

2) "%t" (%edat) or left! %o*nded restored +e of .or*s! here conf*sed %ith the (riht) +e of e
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e .or*see fractions (or eo'etric proression of si ter's 12! 14! 18! 132! 164) %ere *sed inl :inds of 'eas*re'ents

) ":'t"! or fertile ";lac: #and" left after the $ile %ithdra%s! also a na'e for +pt as a %hole 4) this is the onl pl*ral *se of the %ord "nother" (":'tf")

0) "%nnfr"! the "ood ein" or ?siris 1) *nclear *t reconstr*cted cf- @riffith,s renderin (p-198! note 4) as "p.r"! "o ro*nd" pl*s

eter'inatie for is*al actiit 6 A *ard 2) follo%in @riffith "=n%" or inB*ir (Ca*l:ner) pl*s 6 A %atch 3) open o*r 'ind and leae all pre*dices ehind Do* 4) 'e'orie the' to hae the' at o*r disposal %heneer Do* need the' 5) the depth of o*r e'otional! passionate nat*re needs to :no% the' too feel the'

6) so that the eco'e fir'! stead and f*ll assi'ilated and interated 7) speech sho*ld sere the 'ind and the instr*ctions 'a:e one stop idle tal: 8) if o*r oranie o*r life %ith these instr*ctions in 'ind

9) "


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ssociated %ith the %hite cro%n of Fpper +pt Gadet is co''onl identified %ith the Frae*serpent! *t $e:het at ti'es aandons her appearance as a *lt*re for that of a serpent! hence the

*ral 43) the s'ol for all 'anifest and actie eil! 'astered =eth (for e and as a p*nish'ent forain :illed ?siris! defiled and fo*ht his son .or*s)

44) har'less speech does not 'a:e the heart hea and so at diine *d'ent in the afterlife! thealance %ill e in eB*iliri*' and the heart %ill e "restored" instead of ein "eaten"! res*ltin in aecond death" (represented 'en on their head eatin filth)

45) do not sho% o*r neatie e'otions do not epose o*r o%n filth 46) "


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87) a *nit of oern'ent often serin as the cro%n,s liaison to the "dadet"! the asse'l ofo'archs or hereditar lords of the proinces

88) order! *stice and tr*th are the reatest ifts of od! s*stainin the cos'os as a %hole 89) diination is a hol actiit! not to e *sed to satisf the %hi's of indiid*als

0) do not ass*'e od for's to chane thins ('aic) %itho*t considerin the decrees of destin

1) if Do* desire the oods of %ealth people! do not sa this in their o%n ho*ses 2) altho*h orac*lar diination is ac:no%leded! the lare 'aorit does not :no% the %ill of od 3) tr*st in od,s plan 4) ie %a to e'otional passionate states of aro*sal 5) one %ho no loner holds an secrets one %ho sas %hat is on his 'ind

6) one %ho ies %a to his stron e'otions *t does not h*rt is preferred to one %ho,s feelins*rt

7) "B'/" or "create" (Ca*l:ner) the act of creation is perfection 8) for nood :no%s %hat to'orro% rins 9) do not raise o*r oice or Do* %ill e sad 00) 'indf*lness is the proper attit*de 01) one %ho is insane

02) 'an %as created od 03) %hen he has decided to do so 04) the land of the dead

05) e is celestial creatorod %ho sees all 06) dr and harsh #ichthei' has "ristles"

07) a panora'ic perspectie allo%s one to steer a%a fro' daners 08) he %as orn efore Do*

09) at 'ornin praers 10) a do oes he %ho feeds hi' 11) #ichthei' has "po*nce" 12) if there is eno*h roo' 13) there is no ao'ination for Do* to s*ffer fro' od 14) "h%tii" as "sailor" een if the sailor does not %elco'e it! help %ith the ro%in if as:ed to do

o 15) "r" pl*s det-"thins %ritten" (D1) and det-"sit" (/3) or "%ise! learned 'an" (Ca*l:ner)

16) this instr*ction is tpical for the scrie %ho %ill e pro'oted as soon as he ecels-

!. 6emarks.

the cu&mination of the (is'om enre

& instructions are compose' in a rhythmica& sty&e, marke' )y symmetrica&entences, ca&&e' the orationa& sty&e 8;ichtheim, 197, p.9:. *hen nee'e', as inhe assassination narrati+e of the Instruction of Amenemhat, it turns into prose or

ecomes poetica&, as in the hymn to the creator-o' in the Instruction a''resse' toerikare. "ut these features are not the reason for the e4ce&&ence of Amen-em-apt


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n' to teach certain &essons that he (ishe' to impress upon his son, an' at theame time set up a higher standard of moralitythan his pre'ecessors (ho are kno(n

o us ha' 'one. The 'escription of the )ook in the reface promises )oth success in

fe an' mora& (e&fare to the o)e'ient &istener G in other $yptian teachins theractica& o+ersha'o(s the spiritua&, )ut in Amenophis< teachin religion and morality

re the chief motives.riffith, 1927, p.22, my ita&ics.

& $yptian (is'om instructions en+isione' an i'ea& man 8;ichtheim, 197, p.17.rea'y in the (is'om 'iscourse of tahhotep, he &acke' a&& martia& characteristics.

he $yptian sae (as a man of peace, constructi+e an' enerous (ith his (ea&th. Ifhe &' Kin'om sae (as sti&& +ery a(are of haraoh an' his position in society,

men-em-apt is content (ith a hum)&e position an' mo'est materia& means.nstea', inner %ua&ities are promote' se&f-contro&, tran%ui&ity, kin'ness to(ar's

thers E honesty are oppose' to the heate' man, (ho +ents his passions an'motions (ithout se&f-mastery, an' is inc&ine' to e+i&, in particu&ar 'ishonesty.

he teachin 'i+i'es inner E outer. an (a&ks in the outer (or&' an' fin's thatte an' 'estiny, i.e. the physica& manifestation of the (i&& of the 'eity, ru&e+erythin. eop&e may say (hat they &ike G at the en' of the 'ay the orac&e of the

eity 'eci'es. The sae accepts this (ho&ehearte'&y, for he kno(s that the p&ans of

he 'eity are not to )e crosse'. The shrine of his heart is the temp&e of the innereity, an' his (ays are thus in accor' (ith the p&ans of the 'eity.

e has mastere' the inner conf&ict )et(een his passions an' his min', name&yet(een the icons of emotions an' the sym)o&s of proto-rationa& conition, )et(een)e&&y an' heart. This &atonic 'i+ision a+ant &a &ettre 8cf. &ato


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in+oke' se+era& times 8the Ape, the oon, an' the %uestion is aske' (here theeities as reat as he are ? As in ;ate 5e( Kin'om Amun-theo&oy, the 'eities are

manifestations, appearances E transformations of the name&ess o', one E

mi&&ions.

men-em-apt is not a monotheist, )ut a henotheist. @o' is ne in essence )utmi&&ions in manifestation. The Di+ine po(ers are specia&iCe' manifestations of theame ne o', an' a >o&ar sinature may )e attri)ute' to his company

e the o&' creator-o' from afar Gten the physica& face of 6e Ghoth the po(er of the (ritten E spoken (or', the recor'er of the )a&ance, +iCier of

e Gaat truth an' ustice - the or'er of creation - 'auhter of 6e Gnum the maker of mankin', contro&&er of the inun'ation of the 5i&e - sou& of 6e G

hay E 6enenet the manifestation of the p&an of o' in human affairs, functions ofhoth Ghe Braei-serpents the miht of haraoh, son of 6e G

he Apophis serpent the assai&er of 6e, mastere' )y >eth.

he compositiona& e4ce&&ence of this company, in tune (ith the 5e( >o&ar Theo&oy

f its time, )ut not )a&ancin to any un-$yptian e4c&usi+ity, i+es this instruction aterary unity (hich un'er&ines the henotheist choice of our sae. onotheism can note rea' into this, for sae Amen-em-apt sti&& thinks conste&&ationa&, a&)eit in an4c&usi+e&y >o&ar fashion. oreo+er, this choice is an intera& an' meaninfu& part of

he &iterary structure of the te4t. The ;or' of A&& is )eyon', )ut not againstthe othereities, i.e. oppose' to in'epen'ent manifestations of himse&f 8ea&ous as the &'estament (ou&' ha+e it. The reat ne o' remaine' hi''en an' unname'. They

ere his acti+e po(ers, his theophanies.

esi'es the >o&ar inspiration, Amen-em-apt


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his a&&o(s us to 'i+i'e this company in t(o si'es cosmic E menta&

cosmic 6e, Aten, aat, Khnum, Braei-serpents G

menta& Thoth, >hay E 6enenet.

shou&' )e remarke' that in the A&e4an'ro-$yptian phi&osophica& ermetica, the

ame 'i+ision operates, name&y as the 'istinction )et(een @o' 8the >un, the Deca'n' ermes 8the Di+ine 5ous, the $nnea'.

the heart of Amen-em-apt

o the tra'itiona& use of the (or' i) 8heart, name&y (i&&, 'esire, min', motor

ontro&, 'irection an' its +arious intentiona& states, is a''e' the 'imension ofersona& piety, for the inner o' a)i'es in the shrine of the heart 8ro&oue, &ine 9.he sae is a spiritua& person, (ho communicates (ith his o' in his min'. "esi'ess hih mora& stan'ar's of action, he confirms the importance of a persona&

4perience of 'i+inity. This oes han' in han' (ith the noetic %ua&ity of theeachinhe (rites it can har'&y )e

ou)te' that the author of ro+er)s (as ac%uainte' (ith the $yptian (ork an'orro(e' from it. $specia&&y ro+er)s &ine 2221 speaks in that sense, an'tro'uces the e)re( section on the (or's of the (ise I ha+e (ritten 'o(n

hirty sayins for you. They contain kno(&e'e an' oo' a'+ice an' (i&& teach youhat the truth rea&&y is. They (hen you are sent to fin' it out, you (i&& )rin )ack theht ans(er.

n'ee', the propose' &iterary re&ationship is most prominent E 'irect in that sectionfro+er)s ca&&e' 8in the assoretic, tra'itiona& e)re( te4t the (or's of the (ise.
http://www.maat.sofiatopia.org/hermes2.htmhttp://www.maat.sofiatopia.org/egyptbiblio.htm#nhttp://www.maat.sofiatopia.org/egyptbiblio.htm#shttp://www.maat.sofiatopia.org/hermes2.htmhttp://www.maat.sofiatopia.org/egyptbiblio.htm#nhttp://www.maat.sofiatopia.org/egyptbiblio.htm#s


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22:29

30

72-

-

esi'e these, the fo&&o(in resem)&ances are strikin 8ro+er)s in )o&' 721 - 13-

G 1!17 - 733-37 G 179 - 1313-17 G 1711 - 17!-10 G 1! - 2!1-! G 1:7 -13 G 1921 - 1:-! G 2019 - 2113-1 G 2022 - 211-:. @ressman a&sosco+ere' other important resem)&ances in the prophetica&, historica& E &ea&

terature of the e)re(s, name&y eremia, 1!-:, sa&m 1, 1 >amue&, 27ff an' inhe "ook of o)81-20.

The ;or' ki&&s an' restores to &ife Ge sen's peop&e to the (or&' of the 'ea'n' )rins them )ack aain.e makes some poor an' others richG

e hum)&es some an' makes others reat.e &ifts the poor from the 'ustn' raises the nee'y from their misery.>amue&, 27ff

appy are thoseho reect the a'+ice of e+i& peop&e,ho 'o not fo&&o( the e4amp&e of sinnersG

r oin those (ho ha+e no use for @o'.nstea', they fin' oy in o)eyin the ;a( of the ;or',n' they stu'y it 'ay an' niht.

hey are &ike trees that ro( )esi'e a stream,hat )ear fruit at the riht time,n' (hose &ea+e' 'o not 'ry up.hey succee' in e+erythin they 'o.

ut e+i& peop&e are not &ike this at a&& Ghey are &ike stra( that the (in' )&o(s a(ay.nners (i&& )e con'emne' )y @o'

n' kept apart from @o'


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o' 'oes not trust his hea+en&y ser+ants Ge fin's fau&ts e+en (ith his ane&s.

o you think he (i&& trust a creature of c&ay,thin of 'ust that can )e crushe' &ike a moth F

omeone may )e a&i+e in the morninut 'ie unnotice' )efore e+enin comes.

& that he has is taken a(ay,e 'ies, sti&& &ackin (is'om.ook of o), 1-20

The ;or' says

(i&& con'emn those (ho turn a(ay from men' put their trust in human )eins,

the strenth of morta&s.hey are &ike )ushes in the 'esert,hich ro( in the 'ry (i&'erness,n sa&ty roun' (here nothin e&se ro(s.

othin oo' e+er happens to them.ut I (i&& )&ess those (ho put their trust in me.hey are &ike trees ro(in near a stream,n' sen'in out roots to the (ater.

hey are not afrai' (hen hot (eather comes,

ecause their &ea+es stay reen Ghey ha+e no (orries (hen there is no rain G

hey keep on )earin fruit.eremiah, 1!-:.

he inf&uence of $yptian (is'om teachins on the re&iious &iterature of Israe& is partf the &arer conte4t of the interaction )et(een these t(o ci+i&iCations. *e kno( that

(as 'urin the 6amessi'e ae that the tri)es of Israe& )ecame a nation, an' muchf Israe&


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)&ica& sources is not historioraphic )ut i'eo&oica& an' etio&oica&, its chrono&oy iserious&y in 'ou)t an' can not )e use'.

n &ine (ith o'rCee(ski8199!, I a'here to the &o( hypothesis on the )asis of a

n&e chrono&oica& in'ication furnishe' )y the )i)&ica& account (hich con+eres (ithstorica& 'ata. In $4o'us 111, (e rea' >o the $yptians put s&a+e-'ri+ers o+er

hem to crush their spirits (ith har' &a)our. The Israe&ites )ui&t the cities of Pithomnd Ramesesto ser+e as supp&y centers for the kin. 8my ita&ics. This reference iso the ne( capita& of haraoh 6ameses II 8ca.129 - 1213 "#$, ca&&e' er-

amesses 8a-6amesses, eramesse, iramesse, the $state of 6amesses. If (eake the )i)&ica& account serious&y, haraoh 6ameses II (as the ne( kin, (ho kne(othin a)out oseph 8$4o'us, 1:.

his city (as a su)ur)an territory of the ancient capita& of the yksos, A+aris. Itsorma& name (as the ouse of 6amesses, "e&o+e' of Amun, @reat of ictories. Its

p&en'or an' +ita&ity (as reat. A &are pa&ace, pri+ate resi'ences, temp&es, mi&itaryarrisons, a har)or, ar'ens an' a +ineyar' (ere 'esine' for it. It (as the &arestn' cost&iest city of $ypt. The oriina& roya& pa&ace co+ere' four s%uare mi&es.

)an'one' at the en' of the XXth Dynasty, many of its monuments (ere transporte'o the near)y city of Tanis.

nother important historica& e&ement is the t(e&+e-&ine poem that en's the famous

te&e of haraoh erneptah 8ca.1213 - 1203 "#$, the son of 6ameses II, a&sono(n as the >te&e of Israe& or the oetica& >te&e. In this poem, (e rea' Israe&(aste', his see' is )are. The te4t of the ste&e ce&e)rates the +ictories of haraoh

+er the ;i)yans, an' in this )rief poetica& epi&oue sums up the su)mission of the+erse Asiatic peop&es, (ith iisriAr &iste' )efore the Khor 8a&estine an' part ofyria.

The princes are prostrate, sayin


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The Instruction of Amen

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