186 EEV. J. N. FEADENBUEr.H^ PH.D.^ D.D., LL.D., 



nioutli. If it is repeated, look, without hearing it, towards 

 the earth ; say nothing in regard to it. Cause him who 

 speaks to thee to knoAv what is just, even him who provokes 

 the injustice ; cause that which is just to be done, cause it 

 to triumph. As to that Avhich is hateful according to the law 

 condemn it by unveihng it." 



These selections from his precepts will fully vindicate the 

 right of Ptahhotep to an honourable place among the sages 

 of the ancient world. The wise counsels of Ani, written for 

 the instruction of his son, belong to a much later period. 

 For comparison we present a few of his sayings. 



" Drink not beer to excess ! . . . . The Avords that come 



out of thy mouth, thou canst not recall Thou dost 



fall and break thy limbs, and no one reaches out a hand to 

 thee. Thy comrades go on drinking, they stand up and say : 

 ' Away with this fellow Avho is drunk.' If a]iy one should 

 then seek thee to ask counsel of thee, thou Avouldst be found 

 lying in the dust like a little child." 



" The sanctuary of the god — clamour is an abomination to 

 him. Pray for thyself, with a loving heart, in which the 

 words remain hidden ; that he may supply thy need, hear 

 thy words and accept thy offering." He exhorts to industry, 

 "for the man that is idle cometli not to honour." One should 

 not enter the house of another uninvited ; it is an honour to 

 be bidden to enter. Be not too inquisitJA^e AA^hen in a house 

 of a friend, and do not relate Avhat thou hast seen. " Speak 

 not too much for men are deaf to the man of many Avords ; 

 be silent rather, then thou shalt please, therefore speak not. 

 A man's ruin lies in his tongue." 



" BcAvare of a Avoman from strange parts, whose city is not 

 knoAvn. When she comes do not look at her nor know her. 

 She is as the eddy in deep water, the depth of Avhich is un- 

 knoAvn. The Avoman Avhose husband is far off'Avrites to thee 

 every day. If no witness is near her she stands up and 

 spreads her net : ! fearful crime to listen to her ! " 



" Thou shalt never forget what thy mother has done for 

 thee. She bore thee and nourished thee in all manner of 

 Avays. If thou forgettest her, she might blame thee, she 

 might ' lift lip her arms to God, and He Avould liear her com- 

 plaint.' She brought thee up, and Avhen thou didst enter the 

 school, and Avast instructed in the Avritings, she came daily 

 to thy master Avith bread and beer from her house." 



The Egyptian confession of faith is one of the noblest 

 Avhich has been bequeathed to us from the ancient world. 



