01c. 1800 BCBe thine heart overflowing; but refrain thy mouth. Let thy conduct be exact while amongst nobles, and seemly before thy lord, doing that which he hath commanded. Such a son shall speak unto them that hearken to him; moreover, his begetter shall be favoured. Apply thine heart, what time thou speakest, to saying things such that the nobles who listen declare, 'How excellent is that which cometh out of his mouth!'Ptahhotep (traditional literary attribution) / quote ↗
02c. 1800 BCCarry out the behest of thy lord to thee. How good is the teaching of a man's father, for he hath come from him, who hath spoken of his son while he was yet unborn; and that which is done for him (the son) is more than that which is commanded him. Forsooth, a good son is of the gift of the God; he doeth more than is enjoined on him, he doeth right, and putteth his heart into all his goings.Ptahhotep (traditional literary attribution) / quote ↗
03UndatedBe a craftsman in speech that thou mayest be strong, for the strength of one is the tongue, and speech is mightier than all fighting.Ptahhotep (traditional literary attribution) / quote ↗
