Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times

Instruction of Ptahhotep
Zaba (P)
Created on 2009-10-18 by Mark-Jan Nederhof and Robert Myers. Last modified 2010-05-30.
Transcription of The Instruction of Ptahhotep, in the version of Papyrus Prisse, following Zba
(1956). The missing line numbers 6.1, 8.13, and 17.5 were inserted on the basis of Jquier (1911).
On p. 49, line number 12.4 was corrected to 13.4.
in Zba's transcription is here transcribed as.
In lines 7.5 and 12.9, what seems to be
Bibliography
G. Jquier. Le Papyrus Prisse et ses Variantes. Librarie Paul Geuthner, Paris, 1911.
Z. Zba. Les Maximes de Ptahhotep. Editions de L'Acadmie Tchcoslovaque des Science,
Prague, 1956.
Zaba (P)
Created on 2009-11-05 by Mark-Jan Nederhof. Last modified 2009-11-12.
The numbers of Devaud, as they occur at the beginning of lines in Zaba, for version P.
Mark-Jan Nederhof (P) - English

Created on 2009-11-22 by Mark-Jan Nederhof. Last modified 2010-06-02.
4.1
4
1
Za
sbAyt nt
MJN
jmj-rA njwt TAtj ptH-Htp
MJN Instruction of
the leader of the city and vizier Ptahhotep,
Za
xr Hm n nsw-bjtj jssj anx(.w) Dt r nHH
MJN
5
MJN under the majesty of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt Isesi (may he live forever
4.2
Za
jmj-rA njwt TAtj ptH-Htp Dd=f
MJN
6
jty nb=j
7
MJN until eternity!). The leader of the city and vizier Ptahhotep says: 'Sovereign, my lord,
Za
8
tnj xpr(.w) jAw hA.w
MJN
8
MJN
infirmity has developed, old age has befallen,

4.3
Za
wgg jw(.w) jHw Hr mAw
MJN
9
MJN feebleness has come, weakness is renewed.
Za

10
MJN
sDr.n=f Xrd(.w) ra nb
10
MJN One sleeps as a child every day.
4.4
Za
11
MJN
jrtj nDs.w anxwj jmr.w

11
MJN The eyes are weak, the ears have become deaf.
Za
12
MJN
pHtj Hr Aq n wrD jb=j

12
MJN Strength is waning through the tiredness of my heart.

13
Za
MJN
rA gr(.w) n mdw.n=f
13
MJN The mouth is silent and cannot speak.

5.1
16
Za
MJN
jb tm.w n sxA.n=f sf
16
MJN The mind has stopped and cannot remember the day before.
Za

17
18
MJN
qs mn.n=f n Aww1
bw nfr xpr(.w) m bw bjn
17
18
MJN The bones hurt because of the high age. Good has turned into evil.
1 Reading is uncertain.
5.2
Za
MJN
20
19
dpt nbt Sm.tj
19
MJN All taste has gone.
jrrt jAw n rmT

20
What old age does to people
Za

21
22
MJN
bjn(.w)1 m jxt nbt
fnD DbA(.w) n ssn.n=f
21
22
MJN is bad in every respect.
The nose is blocked and cannot breathe,
1 The masculine form is explained by Gardiner (1957), 511 4.
Za
23
MJN
n tnw aHa Hmst
23
MJN because of the difficulty of standing and sitting.

5.3
Za
28
MJN
wD.tw n bAk-jm jrt mdw-jAwj
28
MJN May this humble servant be ordered to appoint a staff-of-old-age,
Za
30
MJN
jx Dd=j n=f mdw sDmyw

30
MJN so that I may tell him the words of those who have heard
32
31
Za
MJN
sxrw jmjw-HAt
pAw sDm n nTrw
31
32
MJN the counsels of the ancestors
who once listened to the gods.
5.4
Za
33
34
MJN
jx jr.tw n=k mjtt

33
dr.tw Snw m rxyt

34
MJN May the same be done for you, may suffering be driven away from the people,
Za

36
35
bAk n=k jdbwj
MJN
Dd.jn Hm n nTr pn
35
MJN
36
and may the Two Banks serve you!' And the majesty of this god said:
5.5
Za
37
MJN
sbA rk sw r mdt Xr-HAt

37
MJN 'Instruct him in the words of the past,
Za

39
MJN
jx jr=f bj n msw srw
39
MJN so that he will be a model for the children of officials.

5.6
40
41
Za
MJN
aq sDm jm=f mtrt-jb nb
Dd n=f
40
MJN May obedience and all sincerity1 enter him. Speak to him,
nn msy sA.w
41
for none is born wise!'
1 Exact meaning is uncertain.
Za
MJN
43

42
HAt-a m Tsw n mdwt nfrt
Ddt.n jrj-pat HAtj-a
42
MJN
Za
43b
MJN
43
Beginning of verses of fine words
jt-nTr mry-nTr
43b
spoken by prince regent, count,

5.7
44
sA-nsw sms n Xt=f
44
MJN the God's father, beloved of the God, the king's eldest son, of his body,
Za
MJN

46
47
46
47
jmj-rA njwt TAtj ptH-Htp
m sbA xmw r rx
MJN the leader of the city and vizier Ptahhotep, in instructing the ignorant in knowledge
5.8
Za
48
49
r tp-Hbs n mdwt nfrt
MJN
m Axt n sDm.tj=fj
48
MJN
Za
49
according to the standard of fine words, useful to him who will hear
50
MJN
51
m wggt n ntj r tht st
Dd.jn=f xr sA=f
50
51
MJN and harmful to him who will deviate from them.
Za
MJN
Thus he said to his son:

52
m aA-jb=k Hr rx=k
52
MJN 'Don't be arrogant because of your knowledge,

5.9
Za

54
nDnD rk Hna xm mj rx
MJN
54
MJN
Za
MJN
but confer with the ignorant as with the knowledgeable!
55
n jn.tw Drw Hmwt
55
MJN The limits of craftsmanship cannot be attained,
56
Za
MJN
nn Hmww apr Axw=f
56
MJN and no craftsman has fully acquired his mastery.

5.10

58
Za
MJN
dgj mdt nfrt r wAD

58
MJN Fine words are more hidden than malachite,
Za
59
MJN
jw gm.tw=s m-a Hmwt Hr bnwwt
59
MJN yet are found with the maids at the millstones.
Za
60
MJN
jr gm=k DAjsw m At=f

60
MJN If you encounter a debater in action,

5.11

61
Za
MJN
xrp-jb m jqr r=k
61
MJN one having authority so as to be superior to you,1

1 The exact structure and meaning of this phrase is uncertain.
Za
62
MJN
xAm awj=k Xms sA=k

62
MJN bend your arms and bow your back!
Za
63
MJN
m TA jb=k r=f nn mn.n=f n=k
63
MJN But don't be presumptuous to him1 when he won't support you!2

1 Also possible seems mTA jb=k
r=f, "If your mind challenges him".

2 Perhaps one should read n rmn.n=f n=k.
5.12
64
65
Za
MJN
sanD=k Dd bjn
64
m tm xsf sw m At=f
65
MJN Make little of bad speech
by not opposing him when he's in action!
Za
66
MJN
njs.tw=f m xm-jxt pw
66
MJN He will be called "this ignoramus"

5.13
Za
67
MJN
rmn.n dAr-jb=k aHa=f
67
MJN when your self-restraint has matched his prolixity.
Za
68
MJN

68
Za

69
MJN
mjtw=k ntj m rmnwt=k
69
MJN someone like you, who's on the same level as you,
5.14
Za
MJN
70
71
DD=k xpr jqr=k r=f m gr
jw=f Hr mdt bjnt
70
71
MJN you will let your worth exceed his by silence,
Za
while he is speaking evil.
72
wr wfA jn sDmyw
MJN
72
MJN
Za
MJN
The reproach by the authorities will be great,
73
rn=k nfr(.w) m rx n srw
73
MJN while your reputation will be good in the opinion of the officials.
6.1
Za
74
MJN

74
Za
75
MJN
m Hwrw n js mjtw=k
75
MJN one who is poor, not someone like you,
Za
76
MJN
m Ad jb=k r=f xft Xss=f
76
MJN don't be aggressive against him because he is weak!
6.2
Za
MJN

77
jm sw r tA xsf=f n=f Ds=f
77
MJN Ignore him, and he will confute himself!
Za
78
MJN
m wSd sw r jsj jb=k

78
MJN Do not answer him to relieve your feelings!
79
Za
MJN
m ja jb n ntj xft=k
79
MJN Do not vent your feelings on your opponent!

6.3
Za
81
MJN
qsn pw HDDw Hwrw-jb

81
MJN Miserable is he who destroys a poor man.
Za
82
MJN
tw r jrt ntt m jb=k

82
MJN But what is in your heart will be done:
Za
83
MJN
Hw=k sw m xsf n srw
84
jr wnn=k m sSmy
83
84
MJN you will beat him through the punishment by the officials. If you are a leader
6.4
Za
MJN
85
Hr wD n sxr n aSAt
85
MJN
Za
controlling the conduct of many,
86
87
MJN
HH n=k sp nb mnx
r wnt sxr=k nn jw jm=f
86
87
MJN seek out for yourself any excellent deed, until your conduct is without wrong.
6.5
Za
88
wr mAat wAH spdt
MJN
88
MJN
Truth is great and (its) effectiveness endures;
Za
89
MJN
n Xnn.tw=s Dr rk wsjr
89
MJN it has not been confounded since the time of Osiris.
Za
90
MJN
jw xsf.tw n swA Hr hpw
90
MJN He who transgresses the laws is punished,

6.6
Za
91
MJN
swAt pw m Hr n awn-jb
91
MJN and it is a transgression even in the eyes of the rapacious.
10
Za
92
MJN
jn nDyt jTt aHa
92
MJN It is baseness that seizes riches,
93
Za
MJN
n pA DAyt mnj sp=s
93
MJN yet wrong has never reached its destination.

6.7
Za
95
MJN
jw=f Dd=f sxt=j r=j Ds=j

95
MJN If he says "I snare for myself",
Za
96
MJN
97
n Dd.n=f sxt=j Hr Hnt=j
wn pHwj mAat wAH=s
96
97
MJN he cannot say "I snare on account of my duty".
In the end, truth endures,
Za
98
Ddw s w jt=j pw
MJN
98
MJN
and a man will say "This is the domain of my father".

6.8
Za
99
MJN
jm=k jr Hr m rmT
99
MJN You should not create terror among people,
11
Za
100
MJN
xsf nTr m-mjtt

100
101
jw s Dd=f anx jm
101
MJN as the god punishes in the same way. A man thinks to live on it,
6.9
Za
103

102
MJN
jw=f Sw=f m t n tp-rA

102
103
MJN while he lacks bread for his mouth.
Za
jw s Dd=f wsr
A man thinks to become powerful,
107
MJN
jw=f Dd=f sxt=j r=j sjAt=j

107
MJN and he says "I will snare for myself what I perceive".
Za

111
MJN
jw s Dd=f Hwtf ky
111
MJN A man thinks to rob another,
Za

112
MJN
jw=f pH=f rDjt=f n xm.n=f

112
MJN but he ends up being given to someone he didn't know.

6.10
Za
MJN
115
n pA Hr n rmT xpr
115
MJN The plans of men have never come about,
12
Za
116
MJN
wDt nTr pw xprt

116
117
kA anx m-Xnw hrt

117
MJN but what the god ordains will happen. Intend to live in contentment,
Za
118
MJN
jy DDt=sn Dsj
118
MJN
Za
Za
Za
Za
6.11
119
119
for what they give will come by itself.
7.1

7.2
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
7.3
7.4
Za
13
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
7.5
7.6

7.7
7.8

7.9

14

7.10

Za

Za

Za

7.11
Za

Za
Za
7.12

Za

Za
Za

8.1
Za
8.2

Za

8.3

Za

Za

Za
8.4
Za
15
8.5
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
8.6
8.7

8.8

8.9
Za
8.10
Za
Za
8.11
Za
Za
Za
8.12

8.13
Za
Za
Za
8.14
9.1

16
9.2

Za
9.3

Za
9.4

Za
9.5

Za

Za

Za
9.6
9.7
Za
9.8

Za

Za
9.9

Za

9.10

Za

Za
9.11
Za
9.12

Za
Za
17
9.13
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
10.1

10.2

10.3
Za
Za
Za
10.4

10.5
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
10.6

10.7
10.8
Za
Za

10.9

18
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
10.10

10.11

10.12

11.1
Za
Za
Za

11.2
11.3
Za
11.4
Za
11.5
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
11.6

11.7

19
11.9

11.8
Za
Za
11.10
Za
Za
11.11
Za
11.12

11.13
Za
12.1

Za
Za

12.2

Za
12.3

Za

12.4

Za
Za

Za
12.5
Za
20
12.6
Za
Za
12.7
Za
Za
12.8
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za

12.9

12.10

12.11

12.12
Za
Za
Za
12.13

13.1
Za
13.2
Za

21
13.3
Za

13.4
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
13.5

13.6

13.7

13.8
Za
13.9
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za

13.10

13.11

13.12

14.1

22
14.2
Za
14.3
Za

14.4
Za
Za
Za
Za

14.5
14.6

14.7
Za

14.8
Za
Za
Za
14.9

14.10
Za
Za
Za
14.11

14.12
Za
23
14.13
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za

15.1
15.2
15.3

15.4
Za
Za
15.5
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
15.6

15.7

15.8

24
15.9
Za
Za
Za
Za
15.10

15.11
Za
Za
Za
Za
15.12
15.13
Za
Za

16.1
Za

16.2
Za
16.3
Za
Za
Za
16.4
16.5

25
16.6
Za
Za
16.7
16.8
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
16.9

16.10
16.11

16.12
16.13

16.14

17.1

17.2

17.3

17.4
26
17.5
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
17.6

17.7

17.8

17.9
17,10

17.11

17.12
17.13

18.1

18.2

18.3
18.4
18.5

18.6

27
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
Za
18.7
18.8

18.9

18.10

18.11

18.12

18.13

18.14
19.1
19.2

19.3
19.4
Za
Za
19.5

28
Za
19.6
19.7

Za

Za
19.8

Za
Za
19.9

Za
Za
29

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Instruction of Ptahhotep

in Zba's transcription is here transcribed as.

In lines 7.5 and 12.9, what seems to be

Mark-Jan Nederhof (P) - English

jmj-rA njwt TAtj ptH-Htp

the leader of the city and vizier Ptahhotep,

xr Hm n nsw-bjtj jssj anx(.w) Dt r nHH

jmj-rA njwt TAtj ptH-Htp Dd=f

infirmity has developed, old age has befallen,

wgg jw(.w) jHw Hr mAw

MJN feebleness has come, weakness is renewed.

MJN One sleeps as a child every day.

jrtj nDs.w anxwj jmr.w

pHtj Hr Aq n wrD jb=j

MJN Strength is waning through the tiredness of my heart.

MJN The mouth is silent and cannot speak.

bw nfr xpr(.w) m bw bjn

MJN All taste has gone.

jrrt jAw n rmT

What old age does to people

bjn(.w)1 m jxt nbt

fnD DbA(.w) n ssn.n=f

MJN is bad in every respect.

The nose is blocked and cannot breathe,

1 The masculine form is explained by Gardiner (1957), 511 4.

n tnw aHa Hmst

MJN because of the difficulty of standing and sitting.

wD.tw n bAk-jm jrt mdw-jAwj

MJN May this humble servant be ordered to appoint a staff-of-old-age,

jx Dd=j n=f mdw sDmyw

pAw sDm n nTrw

MJN the counsels of the ancestors

who once listened to the gods.

jx jr.tw n=k mjtt

dr.tw Snw m rxyt

bAk n=k jdbwj

sbA rk sw r mdt Xr-HAt

MJN 'Instruct him in the words of the past,

jx jr=f bj n msw srw

MJN so that he will be a model for the children of officials.

aq sDm jm=f mtrt-jb nb

for none is born wise!'

1 Exact meaning is uncertain.

Ddt.n jrj-pat HAtj-a

Beginning of verses of fine words

spoken by prince regent, count,

jmj-rA njwt TAtj ptH-Htp

m wggt n ntj r tht st

MJN and harmful to him who will deviate from them.

Thus he said to his son:

MJN 'Don't be arrogant because of your knowledge,

but confer with the ignorant as with the knowledgeable!

MJN The limits of craftsmanship cannot be attained,

nn Hmww apr Axw=f

MJN and no craftsman has fully acquired his mastery.

dgj mdt nfrt r wAD

MJN Fine words are more hidden than malachite,

jw gm.tw=s m-a Hmwt Hr bnwwt

MJN yet are found with the maids at the millstones.

jr gm=k DAjsw m At=f

MJN If you encounter a debater in action,

xrp-jb m jqr r=k