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Ptahhotep Quotes

Egypt

Ptahhotep, sometimes known as Ptahhotpe or Ptah-Hotep, is the name of a 24th century BC vizier and philosopher. He was vizier to Djedkare Isesi.

Egypt
Philosophers

Random Ptahhotep quote

13 quotes

Do not be arrogant because of your knowledge, but confer with the ignorant man as with the learned. For knowledge has no limits, and none has yet achieved perfection in it.

The Maxims of Ptahhotep (-2350)

One who is serious all day will never have a good time, while one who is frivolous all day will never establish a household.

The Maxims of Ptahhotep (-2350)

Truth is great and its effectiveness endures.

The Maxims of Ptahhotep (-2350)

Do not repeat slander; you should not hear it, for it is the result of hot temper.

The Maxims of Ptahhotep (-2350)

Be a craftsman in speech that thou mayest be strong, for the strength of one is the tongue, and speech is mightier than all fighting.

The Maxims of Ptahhotep (-2350)

The pleasure is only for a little moment, and it [passes] like a dream, and a man at the end thereof finds death through knowing it.

The Maxims of Ptahhotep (-2350)

To resist him that is set in authority is evil.

The Maxims of Ptahhotep (-2350)

Beware an act of avarice; it is bad and incurable disease.

The Maxims of Ptahhotep (-2350)

The wasting of time is an abomination to the spirit... When riches are gained, follow desire, for riches will not profit if one is sluggish.

If you are well-to-do and can maintain your household, love your wife in your home according to good custom...Make her happy while you are alive, for she is land profitable to her lord.

The Maxims of Ptahhotep (-2350)

Be cheerful while you are alive.

The Maxims of Ptahhotep (-2350)

Teach him what has been said in the past; then he will set a good example to the children of the magistrates, and judgement and all exactitude shall enter into him. Speak to him, for there is none born wise.

The Maxims of Ptahhotep (-2350)

Follow your desire as long as you live and do not perform more than is ordered; do not lessen the time of following desire, for the wasting of time is an abomination to the spirit... When riches are gained, follow desire, for riches will not profit if one is sluggish.

The Maxims of Ptahhotep (-2350)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Ptahhotep (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.