Maxims of Ptahhotep

At a glance

History, context & interpretation

The text and its story

Wisdom literature from a father to his son on humility, justice, listening and self-control. It sits alongside temple texts as a guide to living in line with Ma'at, cosmic order.

Traditional attribution

Advice from Ptahhotep, vizier to King Djedkare Isesi of the 5th Dynasty.

Historical scholarship

Probably composed in the Middle Kingdom and attributed to the famous vizier; best copy is the Prisse Papyrus.

Context and curiosity

It advises: 'Good speech is more hidden than greenstone, yet it is found among maids at the grindstones.'

Chronology and transmission

This text belongs to Ancient Egypt (Egypt). The catalogue gives its approximate dating as c. 2000–1800 BCE (set in c. 2400 BCE) and original language or script as Middle Egyptian. The dated manuscript witnesses and traditional claims may not refer to the same historical event.

Continue exploring

Sources and further reading

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Maxims_of_Ptahhotep

Historical descriptions are educational summaries. Religious traditions, scholarly interpretations and unverified claims are distinguished where possible; imagery may be illustrative rather than an artifact photograph.