Sebayt — the Instruction Genre
Two thousand years of fathers teaching sons how to live well — Egypt's oldest self-help.
Egyptians produced a long tradition of 'teachings' (sebayt): wisdom texts, usually cast as an elder — a vizier, official, or king — instructing his son on how to live well, succeed, and behave rightly. They counsel restraint, honesty, good speech, respect for superiors, care for the weak, and harmony with ma'at. Famous examples span two thousand years, from Ptahhotep to the Demotic instructions, and were copied in schools to train scribes.
Key passages(2)
He says: Give your ears, hear the sayings, Give your heart to understand them; It profits to put them in your heart, Woe to him who neglects them! Let them rest in the casket of your belly, May they b
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Instruction of the leader of the city and vizier Ptahhotep, under the majesty of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt Isesi (may he live forever until eternity!). The leader of the city and vizier Ptahho
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