NOTES ON LITERATURE IN EGYPT IN THE TIME OP MOSES. 183 



thy affairs as is right, do to him all the good thou canst ; he 

 is thy son, a person attached to thee whom thine own self 

 hath begotten. Separate not thy heart from him. . . . 

 If he conducts himself ill and transgresses thy wish, if he 

 rejects all counsel, if his mouth goes according to the evil word, 

 strike him on the mouth in return." M. Virey, whose trans- 

 lation we follow, says : " It is probable that there is here a 

 sort of play upon the words." He suggests as the meaning : 

 " Strike directly against a bad direction." The merit of a 

 son is of advantage to his father and is worth more than 

 his father's rank. The son should be so trained that he will 

 remain teachable ; in his docility he will exhibit his wisdom 

 and direct his conduct. Knowledge will be his suppoit, 

 while the ignorant will be destroyed. Twice good is the 

 precept of a father ; happy the son who obeys. " Verily a 

 good son is one of the gifts of God, a son Avho does better 

 than he has been told." He does his work with all his heart ; 

 he is blessed with a good old age. " The wise man is satis- 

 fied by knowledge ; he is a great man through his own 

 merits. His tongue is in accordance with his mind ; just are 

 his lips when he speaks, his eyes when he gazes, his ears 

 when he hears. The advantage of his son is to do that 

 which is just Avithout deceiving himself." 



The Avife should be provided for with a liberal hand and 

 treated Avith all love, respect and tenderness. The Avise man 

 makes the best use of his moments, and improves every 

 opportunity to improve his possessions. He looks Avell to 

 his OAvn house, and loves his OAvn wife without alloy. He 

 clothes her, provides her daily food, caresses her, anticipates 

 her Avishes, and tries to make her more contented than any 

 of her neighbours ; and in doing this he does honour to 

 himself. The good husband studies to know what his wife 

 desires — "to Avhat slio aspires, at what she aims, Avhat she 

 regards." 



The man of great soul maintains moderation and calmness. 

 He avoids, on the one hand, pride and haughtiness ; and, on 

 the other hand, meanness of spirit. An inferior should avoid 

 offensive words in the presence of a superior ; and yet he 

 should speak the exact truth, Avheu called upon to speak at 

 all, and that Avithout fear or favour. A man should not be 

 interrupted Avlien engaged in business ; his time has its value. 

 Words should be chosen Avitli wisdom and ahvays carefully 

 guarded. There is even a time to be silent. The love of 

 work transports men to God. He is a Avise man Avho treats 



