NOTES ON LITEEATUEE IN EGYPT IN THE TIME OF MOSES. 185 



him. As tliou knowest that in him is authority, be respectful 

 toward him as belonging to him. Fortune comes only at 

 her own good-will, and her caprice only is her law." 



" If thou hast, as leader, to decide on the conduct of a 

 great number of men, seek the most perfect manner that thy 

 conduct may be without reproach. Justice is gi'eat, invari- 

 able and assured ; it has not been disturbed since the age of 

 Osiris. To throw obstacles in the way of the laws is to 

 open the way to violence." 



" If thou aimest at polished manners, call not him whom 

 thou accostest. Converse with him especially in such a way 

 as not to annoy him. Enter on a discussion Avith him 

 only after having left him time to saturate his mind with tin' 

 subject of the conversation. If he lets his ignorance display 

 itself, and if he gives thee an opportunity to disgrace him, 

 treat him with courtesy rather ; proceed not to drive him 

 into a corner. . . Answer not in a crushing manner; 

 crush him not ; worry him not." 



" If thou findest a disputant while he is hot, and if he is 

 superior to thee in ability, lower the hands, bend the back, do 

 not get into a passion with him. As he will not let thee 

 destroy his words, it is utterly wrong to interrupt him ; that 

 proclaims that thou art incapable of keeping thyself caln\ 

 when thou art contradicted. If thou then hast to do with 

 a disputant while he is hot, imitate one who does not stir. 

 Thou hast the advantage over him if thou keepest silence 

 when he is uttering evil words. The better is he who is 

 passive, say the bye-standers, and thou art right in the 

 opinion of the great." 



" Be not of an irritable temper in regard to thy neigh- 

 bours ; better is a compliment to that which displeases than 

 rudeness. It is wrong to get into a passion with one's 

 neighbours, to be no longer master of one's words." 



" If thou art annoyed at a thing, if thou art tormented by 

 some one who is acting without his right, get out of his 

 sight, and remember him no more when he has ceased to 

 address thee.^' 



" If thou findest a disputant while he is hot, do not despise 

 him because thou art not of the same opinion. Be not 

 angiy against him when he is wrong; away with such a 

 thing. He fights against himself ; require him not further to 

 flatter thy feelings." 



" Do not repeat any extravagance in language ; do not 

 listen to it ; it is a thing which has escaped from a hasty 



