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Las Máximas de Ptahhotep
Ptahhotep, un sabio egipcio que alcanzó los ciento diez años de edad, redactó un libro de enseñanza ética y espiritual para uso de las generaciones futuras. Este texto, en forma de máximas, nos tramite la experiencia de un hombre que fue la mas importante autoridad después del faraón.
Este libro, considerado el libro mas antiguo del mundo, es de una asombrosa modernidad. con un lenguaje simple y directo el viejo sabio habla de la humildad, de la amistad, de la justicia , de la ignorancia y el conocimiento.
Una obra maestra, a la altura de los clásicos taoístas, los proverbios bíblicos o las enseñanzas hindúes.
Este libro, considerado el libro mas antiguo del mundo, es de una asombrosa modernidad. con un lenguaje simple y directo el viejo sabio habla de la humildad, de la amistad, de la justicia , de la ignorancia y el conocimiento.
Una obra maestra, a la altura de los clásicos taoístas, los proverbios bíblicos o las enseñanzas hindúes.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2401
171 people are currently reading
1098 people want to read
About the author
Ptah-Hotep
11 books23 followersPtahhotep (ptāħ ħwtp), sometimes known as Ptahhotpe or Ptah-Hotep, was an ancient Egyptian official during the late 25th century BC and early 24th century BC.
Ptahhotep was the city administrator and vizier (first minister) during the reign of Djedkare Isesi in the 5th Dynasty. He is credited with authoring The Instruction of Ptahhotep, an early piece of Egyptian "wisdom literature" meant to instruct young men in appropriate behavior.
He had a son named Akhethotep, who was also a vizier. He and his descendants were buried at Saqqara.
Ptahhotep's tomb is located in a mastaba in North Saqqara where he was laid to rest by himself. His grandson Ptahhotep Tshefi, who lived during the reign of Unas, was buried in the mastaba of his father.
Ptahhotep was the city administrator and vizier (first minister) during the reign of Djedkare Isesi in the 5th Dynasty. He is credited with authoring The Instruction of Ptahhotep, an early piece of Egyptian "wisdom literature" meant to instruct young men in appropriate behavior.
He had a son named Akhethotep, who was also a vizier. He and his descendants were buried at Saqqara.
Ptahhotep's tomb is located in a mastaba in North Saqqara where he was laid to rest by himself. His grandson Ptahhotep Tshefi, who lived during the reign of Unas, was buried in the mastaba of his father.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
February 24, 2015
I would've given this book 3 stars, but this edition is not worth buying. There is a bitter controversy amongst African-American scholars about the ethnicity of Egyptians. The ancient Egyptians were most likely a mixed race of white, black, and semite, but were definitely not all black. The publishers of this edition belong to a small school of thought that holds the Egyptians were all black, and invented Judaism, Christianity, and Democratic government; they also claim that the ancient civilization of the African continent was all Egyptian.
Since the authors have inserted an introduction that dwells on this subject, I think it's important to point out that they have placed a ridiculously false view of history in a book that is otherwise respectable.
As to the work itself, this is a book of ancient Egyptian manners and morality. Since there isn't much literature from ancient Egypt, this book is important as one of the few works we have from the period. The Teachings are sometimes interesting, sometimes out of date; I did take some nuggets of wisdom from it though.
They also cast some light on the manners and customs of the times, which is always interesting when you consider how little we know about the day-to-day life of the period.
Not a bad read.
Since the authors have inserted an introduction that dwells on this subject, I think it's important to point out that they have placed a ridiculously false view of history in a book that is otherwise respectable.
As to the work itself, this is a book of ancient Egyptian manners and morality. Since there isn't much literature from ancient Egypt, this book is important as one of the few works we have from the period. The Teachings are sometimes interesting, sometimes out of date; I did take some nuggets of wisdom from it though.
They also cast some light on the manners and customs of the times, which is always interesting when you consider how little we know about the day-to-day life of the period.
Not a bad read.
February 1, 2018
When you realize that this book was written in 2350BC, then you understand where the later civilizations sourced the inspiration and knowledge of ethics from. These maxims may sound a bit naive for a modern reader, but if you put the passed 4360 years between you and the book, you realize that you owe a bow to the author for his wisdom. The Hebrews, the Romans and then the Greeks have all benefitted enormously from the originality of Egyptian thoughts but are retold in their own lands today.
"If you meet an opponent in his moment Your equal, a man from your levels, silence is how you establish your superiority over him, while he is bad mouthing, greatly to the disgust of the assessors, and your name is the good one in the mind of the officials."
"If you are weak, follow a man of excellence and all your conduct will be good before god."
"Follow your heart as long as you live. Do not make a loss on what is said, do not subtract time from following the heart. Harming its time is an offence to the ka. Do not deflect the moment of every day beyond establishing your heart. As things happen, follow (your) heart. There is no profit in things if it is stifled."
"The great of heart is the gift of god, the one who obeys his body belongs to the enemy."
"If you are to be a leader be patient in your hearing when the petitioner speaks, do not halt him until his belly is emptied of what he had planned to say."
"Not everything for which he petitions can come to be, but a good hearing is soothing for the heart."
"If you are excellent, found your household, love your wife within reckoning. Fill her belly, clothe her back, ointment is the remedy for her body. Gladden her heart as long as you live. It is a field of benefit for its lord. Do not impose her in affairs. Distance her from power, restrain her. Her eye is her storm when it sees. This is what keeps her in your house. Your quelling her, is water. The womb puts her in her arms. In her turmoil a canal is made for her."
"Make your staff happy with what has come to you, it has come to one whom the god favors. Anyone neglecting the happiness of his staff is called a spirit of hoarding."
"Your silence is more benefit than creeping talk. You should say what you know how to explain."
"If you meet an opponent in his moment Your equal, a man from your levels, silence is how you establish your superiority over him, while he is bad mouthing, greatly to the disgust of the assessors, and your name is the good one in the mind of the officials."
"If you are weak, follow a man of excellence and all your conduct will be good before god."
"Follow your heart as long as you live. Do not make a loss on what is said, do not subtract time from following the heart. Harming its time is an offence to the ka. Do not deflect the moment of every day beyond establishing your heart. As things happen, follow (your) heart. There is no profit in things if it is stifled."
"The great of heart is the gift of god, the one who obeys his body belongs to the enemy."
"If you are to be a leader be patient in your hearing when the petitioner speaks, do not halt him until his belly is emptied of what he had planned to say."
"Not everything for which he petitions can come to be, but a good hearing is soothing for the heart."
"If you are excellent, found your household, love your wife within reckoning. Fill her belly, clothe her back, ointment is the remedy for her body. Gladden her heart as long as you live. It is a field of benefit for its lord. Do not impose her in affairs. Distance her from power, restrain her. Her eye is her storm when it sees. This is what keeps her in your house. Your quelling her, is water. The womb puts her in her arms. In her turmoil a canal is made for her."
"Make your staff happy with what has come to you, it has come to one whom the god favors. Anyone neglecting the happiness of his staff is called a spirit of hoarding."
"Your silence is more benefit than creeping talk. You should say what you know how to explain."
August 1, 2022
Las enseñanzas de un consejero de faraones nunca están demás dentro de lo que se vive debajo del sol.
Nunca sabes en qué texto y de qué tiempo sea en el que puedas encontrar guías para poder mantenerte prudente y en el camino.
Lo que vivimos, ya se ha vivido antes, solo hay que buscarlo
Nunca sabes en qué texto y de qué tiempo sea en el que puedas encontrar guías para poder mantenerte prudente y en el camino.
Lo que vivimos, ya se ha vivido antes, solo hay que buscarlo
July 22, 2014
Purported to be the oldest book in the world, this volume contains two short volumes, "The Instructions of Ptah-Hotep" and "The Instruction of Ka'Gemni" that are 6000 and 5500 years old respectively. They were translated and released as part of a series exploring Eastern religion around 1900 that was attempting to enlighten Westerners to end animosity between East and West and create better understanding to find harmony amongst humankind. Most of the volumes contained in the series can be found on archive or Gutenberg.
The two books contained in this collection are essentially moral codes passed down from a wise of adviser of the king to his son so that he may follow in his footsteps in the royal court, but seemingly also acted as a code of morals for all people of Egypt at the time. The archaeologists that found these volumes discovered them in bits and pieces in different handwriting, suggesting that they were copied by students in school that were learning to read, write, and studying moral code.
They are both quite short and the nuggets contained within are seemingly good maxims to live by, there are some real gems, possibly my favorite being, "Follow thine heart during thy lifetime; do not more than is commanded thee. Diminish not the time of following the heart; it is abhorred of the soul, that its time [of ease] be taken away. Shorten not the daytime more than is needful to maintain the house. When riches are gained, follow the heart; for riches are of no avail if one be weary."
In other words, playtime is more important than work and don't you forget it kids!
Recommended for anyone interested in ancient texts, moral codes, Egyptologists, or like pithy quotes to live by.
The two books contained in this collection are essentially moral codes passed down from a wise of adviser of the king to his son so that he may follow in his footsteps in the royal court, but seemingly also acted as a code of morals for all people of Egypt at the time. The archaeologists that found these volumes discovered them in bits and pieces in different handwriting, suggesting that they were copied by students in school that were learning to read, write, and studying moral code.
They are both quite short and the nuggets contained within are seemingly good maxims to live by, there are some real gems, possibly my favorite being, "Follow thine heart during thy lifetime; do not more than is commanded thee. Diminish not the time of following the heart; it is abhorred of the soul, that its time [of ease] be taken away. Shorten not the daytime more than is needful to maintain the house. When riches are gained, follow the heart; for riches are of no avail if one be weary."
In other words, playtime is more important than work and don't you forget it kids!
Recommended for anyone interested in ancient texts, moral codes, Egyptologists, or like pithy quotes to live by.
February 21, 2022
There is something uniquely, ephemerally commanding about words from ancient texts ... they carry a beauty and authority all their own. These maxims are no exception; each stanza is thrilling.
Quotes
————
"Wretched is he who persecutes one who is inept."
"Do not speak against any person, be he great or small, for this serves only to arouse the temper."
"It is the man of integrity who is the possessor of wealth."
"He who listens to his stomach is his own worst enemy."
"A sympathetic hearing is a means of calming the heart."
"Greater is the claim of the good-hearted man than that of the assertive."
"One cannot bring satisfaction to an entire town, but one can bring happiness to friends when there is need."
"Your silence will be more profitable than babbling, so speak only when you know that you are qualified."
"The aggressive man meets with trouble."
"The flames of the quick-tempered spread quickly."
"Behold: he who is gracious to listen is highly esteemed."
"Wretched is he who stirs up adversity in his own neighborhood."
"Men are eager for bread which is freely given."
"The property of one man may pass to another, but the integrity of a gentleman is always beneficial to him, and a good character will be his monument."
"The learned man can be recognized by what he has learned, and the nobleman by his good actions. His heart controls his tongue, and precise are his lips when he speaks."
"As for him who heeds what is said to him, he will be self-sufficient."
Quotes
————
"Wretched is he who persecutes one who is inept."
"Do not speak against any person, be he great or small, for this serves only to arouse the temper."
"It is the man of integrity who is the possessor of wealth."
"He who listens to his stomach is his own worst enemy."
"A sympathetic hearing is a means of calming the heart."
"Greater is the claim of the good-hearted man than that of the assertive."
"One cannot bring satisfaction to an entire town, but one can bring happiness to friends when there is need."
"Your silence will be more profitable than babbling, so speak only when you know that you are qualified."
"The aggressive man meets with trouble."
"The flames of the quick-tempered spread quickly."
"Behold: he who is gracious to listen is highly esteemed."
"Wretched is he who stirs up adversity in his own neighborhood."
"Men are eager for bread which is freely given."
"The property of one man may pass to another, but the integrity of a gentleman is always beneficial to him, and a good character will be his monument."
"The learned man can be recognized by what he has learned, and the nobleman by his good actions. His heart controls his tongue, and precise are his lips when he speaks."
"As for him who heeds what is said to him, he will be self-sufficient."
May 8, 2020
One of my favorite is #21. “If thou wouldest be wise, provide for thine house, and love thy wife that is in thine arms. Fill her stomach, clothe her back; oil is the remedy of her limbs. Gladden her heart during thy lifetime, for she is an estate profitable unto its lord. Be not harsh, for gentleness mastereth her more than strength. Give to her that which she sighesth and that toward which her eye looketh; so shalt thou keep her in thine hour.
February 9, 2015
Informative
March 29, 2019
These Teachings are beneficial to you if you're a person who's open minded and looking for a little bit of moral self help, at times the teachings feel informative similar to a Law in Robert Greene's 48 Laws Of Power. Never the less these Teachings will instill wisdom you need in order to develop your own standards for yourself. The PostScript and Kemetic Glossary is also beneficial to the reader who needs a history lesson on Kemet. Obviously this book was written correctly as all the bibliography has checked out. You're getting the truth. As short as the book is, it's a decent pick up.
January 2, 2022
Интересно ми беше да надникна, дори така леко и незадълбочено, във философията и възприятията на хората, живяли преди около 5000 години. Още по-интересно ми се стори, че повечето от афоризмите никак не звучат далечно и на съвременния човек.
July 29, 2024
A la hora de estudiar o leer un texto de culturas muy pretéritas uno debe acceder a él con tiento y sobre todo con conciencia de que, para su inteligibilidad, es menester recurrir a un aparato crítico más complejo que el mismo texto analizado.
Las máximas de Ptahhotep forman parte de un texto cuya función primaria era la de solicitar la venia del Faraón para que su puesto fuera ocupado por su hijo, después Ptahhotep presentó a su hijo una serie de recomendaciones para su futura labor. En este sentido, el autor le mostró a su hijo que debía ser circunspecto y no ceder a la ira contra los "camorristas" ya superiores ya inferiores ya iguales a él. También presenta recomendaciones para su trato ante un grande y resalta la necesidad de que sea justo en la gestión de cualquier trabajo que desempeñe.
Si uno realmente piensa que encontrará la sabiduría inmemorial de los perennialistas aquí, mejor absténgase de leerlo.
Las máximas de Ptahhotep forman parte de un texto cuya función primaria era la de solicitar la venia del Faraón para que su puesto fuera ocupado por su hijo, después Ptahhotep presentó a su hijo una serie de recomendaciones para su futura labor. En este sentido, el autor le mostró a su hijo que debía ser circunspecto y no ceder a la ira contra los "camorristas" ya superiores ya inferiores ya iguales a él. También presenta recomendaciones para su trato ante un grande y resalta la necesidad de que sea justo en la gestión de cualquier trabajo que desempeñe.
Si uno realmente piensa que encontrará la sabiduría inmemorial de los perennialistas aquí, mejor absténgase de leerlo.
March 7, 2020
I believe that this is indeed the 1st book. It was originally written in the Mdw Ntr language (called hieroglyphics by the Greeks). There are missing parts as it was written on papyrus and partially recovered. It seems to be pure. I say this because things can be lost in translation as English does not align with many earlier languages/writing systems. The book is short and can be consumed in about an hour. It is written to address men, but can be applied to everyone. Ptahhotep, the writer, was the son of a pharaoh and lived to be 110 years old. He wrote this book as a guide to moral principles, I’m thinking to address the imbalance that had taken over Kmt (Egypt) and Nubia due to colonialism. Such a sad time for our ancestors to have lost their lands at the hands of greedy conquerors. The oral tradition had [evolved] to a written tradition to address the needs of a people who were being forced to forget their high moral values. I’m grateful that our ancestors began to write things down so that we, the future generations can remember what we were before they came. Peace.
April 29, 2013
"If you want to behave well, free yourself from the grip of all evil and fight any sign of greed. Greed is an incurable, fatal sickness with no remedy. It infects fathers, mothers, and mothers' brothers; it separates wife from husband, Greed is the coming together of all kinds of evil and contains everything that is hateful." -- Maxim 19 "On greed, an incurable sickness"
This was witten over 5,000 years ago and is not about any one Relgion. The wisdom is for all Humanity and applied to everyday life, will create a Peaceful Way of Being. Think about the words...they apply to all things in Life.
For me at least, this book is "must have".
This was witten over 5,000 years ago and is not about any one Relgion. The wisdom is for all Humanity and applied to everyday life, will create a Peaceful Way of Being. Think about the words...they apply to all things in Life.
For me at least, this book is "must have".
September 11, 2020
De impresionante actualidad, uno de los escritos más antigüos de la historia.
October 8, 2008
These maxims provide as great a guide to life now as they did several thousand years ago when they were written. I think the world would be a better place if we would all study Ptah-Hotep's wisdom and apply it in our daily lives.
January 28, 2016
timeless
February 17, 2023
In anticipation of my former colleague, Bill Manley's forthcoming book on the Instructions of Ptah-hotep, I read Christian Jacq's popular translation. It is a very readable and motivational set of guidelines for an official to lead an upright and successful life, written some 4,000 years ago, during Egypt's 5th Dynasty. It is, however, unfortunate that in this translation from the original French, the translators show an ignorance of the correct Egyptological terminology used in the English-speaking world. The book's short introduction also shows a bias in favour of French Egyptology. That said, many of the short and pithy maxims in the Egyptian text itself are still relevant today.
I was particularly interested in Jacq's translation of Maxim 32, which in the past has been interpreted as a condemnation of homosexual relations. It is useful that Jacq includes the hieroglyphic text and a literal translation as an appendix. Here it is apparent that the word used is hemet-khered "child-woman' (as Jacq translates it), or more usually "child-wife". What appears to be discouraged here is having sexual relations with a child, not another man.
I was particularly interested in Jacq's translation of Maxim 32, which in the past has been interpreted as a condemnation of homosexual relations. It is useful that Jacq includes the hieroglyphic text and a literal translation as an appendix. Here it is apparent that the word used is hemet-khered "child-woman' (as Jacq translates it), or more usually "child-wife". What appears to be discouraged here is having sexual relations with a child, not another man.
December 31, 2021
Wou!!! Qué tal libro. Cierro el año con otro libro motivador, tranquilizador, para empezar renovada este 2022.
Este libro nos hace acordar "El arte de la Guerra"," Los 53 sutras de Buda"; entre otros similares. Pues el autor, muy respetado en su época, lo que hace es brindarnos consejos. Consejos sobre cómo se gobierna, cómo se debe trabajar, qué esperar de la vida, relaciones personales, etc.
"No te vanaglories de tu conocimiento", entre otros tantos consejos muy interesantes y que nos llaman a reflexión. Más lo novedoso para mi -a pesar de la antigüedad del texto- fue escuchar la mención de las mujeres sin hijos. Todo en positivo, criticando a quienes las señalan. Hablan de los hijos en vida y de los hijos espirituales, que tú puedes elegir tener hijos espirituales.
Todas las máximas nos llaman a la paz, a no buscar la venganza, a no aprovecharse del débil, a elegir lo mejor para nosotros. Súper motivador y muy, muy interesante.
Este libro nos hace acordar "El arte de la Guerra"," Los 53 sutras de Buda"; entre otros similares. Pues el autor, muy respetado en su época, lo que hace es brindarnos consejos. Consejos sobre cómo se gobierna, cómo se debe trabajar, qué esperar de la vida, relaciones personales, etc.
"No te vanaglories de tu conocimiento", entre otros tantos consejos muy interesantes y que nos llaman a reflexión. Más lo novedoso para mi -a pesar de la antigüedad del texto- fue escuchar la mención de las mujeres sin hijos. Todo en positivo, criticando a quienes las señalan. Hablan de los hijos en vida y de los hijos espirituales, que tú puedes elegir tener hijos espirituales.
Todas las máximas nos llaman a la paz, a no buscar la venganza, a no aprovecharse del débil, a elegir lo mejor para nosotros. Súper motivador y muy, muy interesante.
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March 22, 2025The teaching of the Overseer of the City and Vizier Ptahhotep
before the power of the dual king Isesi living for ever and eternity.
The Overseer of the City and Vizier Ptahhotep declares:
O my sovereign,
Old age has struck, age has descended,
Feebleness has arrived, weakness is here again.
Sleep is upon him in discomfort all day.
Eyes are grown small, ears deaf,
Mouth silent, unable to speak,
Heart emptied, unable to recall yesterday.
Bones ache his whole length.
Goodness has turned to evil,
All taste is gone.
What old age does to people is evil in every way.
Nose is blocked, unable to breathe,
how old (it feels) standing or sitting.
Let a staff of old age be decreed to be made for this humble servant.
Let him be told the speech of those who assess,
the advice of the ancestors once heard by the gods.
Then the same may be done for you,
strife may be removed from the populace,
and the Two Shores may toil for you
before the power of the dual king Isesi living for ever and eternity.
The Overseer of the City and Vizier Ptahhotep declares:
O my sovereign,
Old age has struck, age has descended,
Feebleness has arrived, weakness is here again.
Sleep is upon him in discomfort all day.
Eyes are grown small, ears deaf,
Mouth silent, unable to speak,
Heart emptied, unable to recall yesterday.
Bones ache his whole length.
Goodness has turned to evil,
All taste is gone.
What old age does to people is evil in every way.
Nose is blocked, unable to breathe,
how old (it feels) standing or sitting.
Let a staff of old age be decreed to be made for this humble servant.
Let him be told the speech of those who assess,
the advice of the ancestors once heard by the gods.
Then the same may be done for you,
strife may be removed from the populace,
and the Two Shores may toil for you
Read
February 13, 2022"If you are powerful in causing respect for you,
by knowledge, by calming in speech,
do not order people, except by the guidelines.
The aggressive man ends up in trouble.
Do not have your heart too high, or it will be brought down.
Do not stay silent if it makes you stumble.
When you answer the speech of a fiery man,
distance your sight, restrain yourself.
The spear of a hothead flies past,
but a fine mover has his path smoothed.
A man who worries all day long
will never be allowed a good moment.
A man who lazes all day long
will never have a solid house.
A shot filled is like an oar abandoned on the ground,
when another is taken,
his heart has obeyed the wish 'if only I had...'"
by knowledge, by calming in speech,
do not order people, except by the guidelines.
The aggressive man ends up in trouble.
Do not have your heart too high, or it will be brought down.
Do not stay silent if it makes you stumble.
When you answer the speech of a fiery man,
distance your sight, restrain yourself.
The spear of a hothead flies past,
but a fine mover has his path smoothed.
A man who worries all day long
will never be allowed a good moment.
A man who lazes all day long
will never have a solid house.
A shot filled is like an oar abandoned on the ground,
when another is taken,
his heart has obeyed the wish 'if only I had...'"
September 21, 2021
Short and with rather dated "front matter", but the translation itself and the core material I found interesting. The content, perhaps is that most-uncommon 'common sense' -- the kind of thing found in advice from many authors, ancient and modern. And yet, that is the interesting feature, that the oldest "book" known to modern scholars still speaks to the same ideals of what makes good habits of behavior, and warns against the same all-too-human failings that we are prone to.
March 23, 2022
Written almost 4400 years ago, this book contains the wisdom of how to live a good life from an ancient Egyptian. It's nice to see that after such a long time the advice on how to handle people and the problems of people are still basically the same.
October 16, 2025
The intro is captivating.Another great source of information on how the Afrikaner inherited the misery & brutality of it's colonial counterparts.The end are just some instructions of upholding ma'at(justice and character).
March 21, 2018
Education, book of instructions, Proverb
August 20, 2019
"..the trusted man is one who doesnt speak the first thing that comes to mind."
January 11, 2020
It's ok I guess
Not what I was expecting, but good advice. Written in prose style so if you like poetry, you might like this. Needs to be translated better though.
Not what I was expecting, but good advice. Written in prose style so if you like poetry, you might like this. Needs to be translated better though.
September 30, 2021
Glad to have this ancient text. Pity about the translation into 17th-century English.
March 25, 2022
Nunca havia lido nada original do Egito. Fiquei realmente impressionado com a sabedoria de Ptahotep e seus ensinamentos. Conceitos muito atuais. Livro curto e de fácil compreensão. Excelente!
November 16, 2023
Written 4500 years ago; wisdom still applicable today.
November 21, 2023
3 stars
January 27, 2024
Não seja pau no cu e trate as pessoas bem. Ninguém gosta de ser mal tratado.
São as máximas pra não se tornar um vizir safado.
São as máximas pra não se tornar um vizir safado.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews