Papyrus Prisse, column 5, lines 4-6)

 

Dd.in Hm n nTr pn

sbA r.k sw r mdt Xr HAt

ix ir.f biA n msw wrw

aq sDm im.f mtrt ib nb

Dd n.f nn msy siA

 

Then the Power of this god said:

Teach him then the speech from the past

that he may provide the example for the children of the great.

May hearing enter into him, the measure of every heart.

Speak to him. For noone can be born wise.

 

Papyrus Prisse, column 5, lines 6-8)

 

HAt-a m Tsw n mdt nfrt

Ddt.n iry-pat HAty-a

it-nTr mry nTr

sA nswt smsw n Xt.f

imy-r niwt TAty ptH-Htp

m sbA xmw r rx

r tp-Hsb n mdt nfrt

m Axt n sDm.ty.fy

m wggt n nty r tht st

 

Beginning of the collection of fine words

Said by the man of the elite, foremost of arm

god’s father and beloved of the god

eldest son of the king of his body

overseer of the city, vizier Ptahhotep

in teaching the ignorant to be wise

according to the rules of fine words,

something useful to whoever heeds,

and something harmful to whoever transgresses it.

 

Papyrus Prisse, column 5, lines 8-10)

 

Dd.in.f xr sA.f

m aA ib.k Hr rx.k

nDnD r.k Hna xm mi rx

n in.tw Drw Hmwt

nn Hmww apr Axw.f

dgA mdt nfrt r wAD

iw gm st m-a Hmwt Hr bnwt

 

Then he addressed his son:

Do not be proud on account of your knowledge,

but discuss with the ignorant as with the wise.

The limits of art cannot be delivered;

there is no artist whose talent is fulfilled.

Fine words are more sought after than greenstone,

but can be found with the women at the grindstone.

 

Papyrus Prisse, column 5, lines 10-13)

 

ir gm.k DAisw m At.f

xrp ib m iqr r.k

xAm awy.k XmsA.k

m TA ib.k r.f

nn mn.n.f n.k

sand.k Dd bin

m tm xsf sw m At.f

nis.t(w).f m xm-xt pw

rmn.n dAir ib.k aHa.f

 

If you meet an opponent in his moment

A director of heart who is superior to you,

bend your arms and bow;

do not take up your heart against him,

for he will not be swayed for you.

You can belittle bad speaking

by not clashing with him in his moment;

it will mean he is called a fool,

when your self-restraint has subdued his excess.

 

Papyrus Prisse, column 5, lines 13-14)

 

ir gm.k DAisw m At.f

mitw.k nty m rmnwt.k

dd.k xpr iqr.k r.f m gr

iw.f Hr mdt bint

wr wfA in sDmyw

rn.k nfr m rx n srw

 

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.

Papyrus Prisse column 6, lines 1-3)

 

ir gm.k DAisw m At.f

m Hwrw n is mitw.k

m Ad ib.k r.f xft Xss.f

imi sw r tA xsf.f n.f Ds.f

m wSd sw r isy ib.k

m ia-ib n nty xft.k

qsn pw HDDw Hwrw ib

tw r irt ntt m ib.k

Hw.k sw m xsf n srw

 

If you meet an opponent in his moment

Who is a poor man, and not your equal,

do not vent your hear on him by his wretchedness.

Put him on land for him to oppose himself.

Do not pour out your heart at the man facing you.

The demolition of a wretched heart is a difficult matter.

What you wish will be done;

beat him with the hostility of the officials.

 

Papyrus Prisse column 6, lines 3-6)

 

ir wnn.k m sSmyw

Hr wD n sxr n aSAt

HH n.k sp nb mnx

r wnt sxr.k nn iw im.f

wr mAat wAH spdt

n Xnn.t(w).s Dr rk wsir

iw xsf.tw n swA Hr hpw

swAt pw m Hr n awn-ib

in nDyt iTt aHaw

n pA DAyt mni sp.s

iw.f Dd.f sxt.i r.i Ds.i

n Dd n.f sxt.i Hr Hnt.i

wn pHwy mAat wAH.s

Ddw s w it.i pw

 

If you are to be among leaders

at a command for the condition of the multitude,

seek out for yourself every effective moment,

until your condition reaches faultlessness.

What is right is great, and (its) keenness enduring.

It has not been overturned since the time of Osiris.

The one who overlooks laws is punished;

that is what is overlooked in the sight of the greedy.

It is the small-minded that seize riches,

but crime never managed to land its rewards.

Whoever says ‘I snare for myself’

does not say ‘I snare for my needs’.

The final part of what is right is its endurance;

of which a man says ‘that is my father’

 

Papyrus Prisse column 6, lines 8-10)

 

im.k ir Hr m rmT

xsf nTr m mitt

iw s Dd.f anx.i im

iw.f Sw m t n tp-r.f

iw s Dd.f wsr.i

iw.f Dd.f sxt.i r.i siAt.i

iw s Dd.f Hwt.f ky

iw.f pH.f rdi.t(w).f n xm.n.f

 

Do not cause fear among people

God punishes with the same.

Anyone who says ‘I can live by it’

will lack bread for his statement.

Anyone who say ‘I can be powerful’

will have to say ‘I snare against myself by my cleverness’.

Anyone who says he will strike another,

will end by being given to a stranger.