A SHORT STORY AND SOME GOOD ADVICE

FRANCIS W. NIEDENFUHR

Life lessons from ancient Egypt

I have always been an aficionado of the arts, especially attracted to sculpture and calligraphy. Thus it was, when I first saw ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs cut in stone, that I fell like a ton of bricks. I marveled at the intricate glyphs—little sculptures, really—the birds, the stars, the pots, and pans. The whole panoply of ancient life is set out in miniature. That the figure of a little man, perhaps three quarters of an inch high, could be cut into a stone plaque with such precision that his facial features were clearly discernable is wonderful. That this little fellow survived nearly five thousand years is really quite miraculous.

It is very clear that these tiny sculptures arrayed row on row are some kind of writing. There is much of this mysterious writing on monuments, on palace and temple walls, in tombs, as well as on wood, leather, cloth, and papyrus. Not all of it is in hieroglyphs. Much of the ancient writing is in a cursive form called hieratic, which, when well done, has a special beauty all its own.

One can scarcely contemplate this visual feast for long before beginning to wonder what message is conveyed by these beautiful symbols. So, I began to study. It is not too difficult, as two dozen of the glyphs stand for simple voiced sounds. Essentially, they are alphabetic characters. Another couple of hundred stand for groups of two or three letters. Yet another group indicates the object depicted. Lastly, there are non-phonetic symbols called determinatives, which attach to the ends of words and give a hint of the meaning. All in all, the beginner is faced with something like 750 glyphs, about half of which are in frequent use.As these are strung together they make words, which can be learned by referring to bilingual dictionaries or inferred from the context.

Finally, then,we can discover the ancient messages. The decipherment of this writing system in 1822 pushed back the boundary of history nearly 3,000 years. We learn of kings, conquests, religion, the price of a bag of barley, how to live, and how to die. The literature of the Egyptians is especially captivating, for it includes songs, spells, prayers, fables, biographies, legal and civil records, and more, just as in our world.

Despite their intrinsic interest, these writings generally are not well known outside the circle of professional Egyptologists, so let me share with you two examples. These are my own translations from published hieroglyphic texts. They will differ in detail from other versions, but every translator will, by the nature of languages, put a different spin on the product. I have tried to strike a balance between retaining the flavor of the Egyptian way of saying things and making readable English. For example, in my version the first few words of the sailor’s story are “The excellent Shemsu said,” while three other translations published elsewhere have“T “A clever Follower speaks,”T he astute lieutenant spoke,” and “The worthy attendant said.” The Egyptian word ikr can be rendered as excellent, clever, astute, worthy, or even in other ways. Clearly, one should be wary of too literal interpretation of any material in translation.

Although the following story was written nearly 4,000 years ago, it is a captivating tale. To set the scene, a boat arrives in Egypt bringing home a nobleman who fears that he faces some punishment, though we know not why. The nobleman’s companion, the Shemsu, is trying to prepare him for a royal interview and to cheer him up by telling the story of his own adventures. At the end, the nobleman remains pessimistic, resigned to his expected fate.

THE SHIPWRECKED SAILOR’S TALE

The excellent Shemsu said: Pray, lighten your heart, Prince. We have reached home. The mooring post is driven in and the prow rope is on the land. Praises are given and God is adored. Each man embraces his companion. Our crew has returned safely with no loss of our soldiers. We reached the end of Wawet and have bypassed Senmut. See that we have returned in peace and have reached our homeland. Listen to me, my Prince, I am not fooling! Wash yourself. Pour water on your fingers. Then you can answer your questioners; you will speak to the king with your heart in you. Answer without stammering—it must be the speech of an assured man. A man’s words can bring him an indulgence. But do as you wish. I am tired of talking to you.

I will tell you about something similar that happened to me. I was going to the King’s mining region and had gone down to the Great Green in a boat 120 cubits long and 40 cubits wide. One hundred and twenty sailors were in it; they were the best of Egypt. They had seen the sky and the land; their hearts were braver than lions. They could foretell a storm before it came, but a storm did come up while we were upon the Great Green before we could get back to land. The storm made a great wind and waves eight cubits high. The waves broke over me and caused the ship’s death. Of the men in it, not one other survived, but I was carried to an island by a wave of the Great Green.

I spent three days alone with my heart as my only companion. I spent the nights inside a wooden hut and clung to the shade by day. Finally, I stretched my legs to learn what I could put in my mouth. I found figs and grapes and vegetables of all good kinds. There were sycamore figs and nekewet fruit and cucumbers as if planted. Fish were there and fowl. There was nothing that was not there. Then I satisfied myself and put down what was too much to carry. I lit a fire and made a burnt offering to the gods.

Then I heard a sound like a thunderstorm; I supposed that it was a wave of the Great Green, but trees began breaking and the earth was shaking.When I uncovered my face, I found that it was a great snake that was coming. He was 30 cubits long and his beard was longer than two cubits! His body was covered with gold, his two eyebrows with real lapis.He reared up his head and opened his mouth to me as I lay on my belly before him.He said to me: Who brought you? Who brought you, fellow? Who brought you? If you don’t tell me right now who brought you to this island I will turn you into ashes! You will become as one unseen! I do not hear you answering! [I answered] I am here before you not knowing why myself. Then he took me in his mouth and carried me to his home and set me down uninjured.

Again he opened his mouth to me while I was on my belly before him. He said to me: Who brought you? Who brought you, fellow? Who brought you to this island of the Great Green with the water on both sides? Then I answered with my arms bent in praise before him. I said that I was going to the mining region on the King’s business in a boat 120 cubits long and 40 cubits wide. One hundred and twenty sailors were in it, the best of Egypt. They saw heaven and they saw earth; their hearts were braver than lions. They could foretell a storm before it came or a tempest of the sea. Every man was braver and stronger of arm than his companions. There was not a foolish man among them. A storm came while we were on the Great Green and before we could reach land it carried off the sail. The wind made a great howling and a wave of eight cubits broke over me. Then the ship died and of the souls in it no one man except me came to your shore. I was brought to this island by a wave of the Great Green.

He said to me: Don’t fear; don’t be afraid, fellow, or be of blanched face.You reached me and behold! God saved your life.He brought you to this island of Ka where there is nothing that is not on it. It is filled to its ends with all good things. See! You will spend four months living here, and then a boat will come with sailors whom you know. You will return home with them and die in your own hometown.

How happy is he who retells his experiences when the dangers are past. Let me tell you of a similar thing that happened on this island. I was here with my companions and children.Among them all in all,we were 75 serpents with the children and my companions, not to mention a little daughter whom I brought with me by good luck. Then a star fell and they all went up in its fire. It happened that I was not with them in the fire but I died for them when I found them all as a single corpse.

If you are strong and brave you will fill your embrace with your children and kiss your wife again. You will see your house; it is better than anything to arrive home. You will be with your companions and your family; you will remain there.

I was on my belly and touched my head to the ground in front of him. I said to him: I will tell of your might to the King so that he will know of your greatness and I will bring you laudanum and hekenew spice offerings and gifts of hsayt spice of the temple which satisfies every god in it. I will report to him what happened to me and what I saw of your power. I will praise God for you in the cities and the courts of the whole land. I will sacrifice bulls for you and make burnt offerings of fowl for you. I will send you ships loaded with every noble thing of Egypt just as one does for a god whom the people love in a distant unknown land.

Then he laughed at me because what I had said seemed foolish to him. He said: You do not have much myrrh or many kinds of incense. I am the ruler of Punt and all the myrrh there is mine. That hekenew oil you spoke of bringing here—there is plenty of it on this island. When you leave here you won’t see this island again; it will be under water.

Then that ship came as he had foretold. I went and placed myself in a tall tree and recognized the people in it. When I went to tell the serpent, I found that he already knew of it.He said to me:Health! Health, fellow! To your house to see your children! Give me a good name in your town, that is all I ask of you. Then I placed myself on my belly, my two arms bent in praise before him. Then he gave me packages of myrrh, sacred oils and spices, hounds, apes, monkeys, and all good and noble things. I carried these gifts to the boat and placed myself on my belly in praise of him. He said: See! You will reach home in two months and embrace your children and become young again in your tomb.

I went to the shore near the boat and called to the sailors and gave praise on the shore to the lord of this island. Then we traveled northward to the King’s Residence.We came there in the second month, all as he had said.

I went to the King to give him those gifts I had brought from the island and he praised God for me before all the courtiers of the land. Then I was appointed Shemsu and endowed with servants. Look at me now that I have returned home and understood my experiences. Listen to me, my Prince! It is good for people to listen.

He answered: Don’t play wise,my friend.Who would give water to a duck at dawn when it will be slaughtered in the morning?

And so the noble remains pessimistic and resigned to his fate. The Shemsu’s story hasn’t cheered him and, worse yet, the story ends here so we never learn how he fared. Perhaps that is part of the allure of this tale.

Move now to another sort of writing, known as didactic literature. Here we have an actual historic character, Ptah-Hotep, who was a viceroy of King Djedkara Isesi, who ruled from 2414 to 2375 BCE. Ptah-Hotep is an old man and failing physically so he petitions the king to be relieved of his duties. Read on.

THE TEACHINGS OF PTAH-HOTEP

The teachings of the mayor and vizier Ptah-Hotep under the majesty of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt, Isesi, living forever to eternity. The mayor and vizier Ptah-Hotep says: Sovereign my lord, old age is happening. Age descends, feebleness comes, and weakness is a new thing. One sleeps in discomfort every day. The eyes are poor, the ears are deaf. Strength deteriorates and my heart grows weary. The mouth is silent; no words are in it. Every bone aches. Old age is bad in every way. The nose is blocked, it cannot breathe. It is painful to stand or sit. Command me, your servant, to appoint an assistant to be my support in old age. Then I will speak to him the words of those who have listened to the wisdom of the ancestors and the gods. Doing this for you will alleviate the suffering of your subjects and the two shores will serve you.

Then was said by the majesty of this god: You will teach him of the words of the ancients so he will do well for the children of the nobles. Let them hear his wisdom and every heart bear witness to his speech, for no one is born wise.

Here begins the text of the good advice as spoken by the prince, mayor, god’s father, beloved of the god, king’s eldest son, overseer of the city, and vizier, Ptah-Hotep, for bringing ignorant men to the foundation of wisdom to the benefit of those who listen and the peril of those who disobey it. Spoken by him to his son.

Do not be big-headed over your knowledge.As a wise person, you should consult with the ignorant man as well as with the wise. There is no end to art and no artist who has mastered his power. Good words are more hidden than green stone, yet, one could find them among the servant girls at their grindstones.

If you must deal with an argumentative man in a temper, one who has authority over you, bend your arms and bow respectfully. Your arguing will not make him agree with you. Do not attend the evil words nor oppose him in his anger. He will be called a “know-nothing” if your self-control is greater than his.

If you must deal with an argumentative man in a temper, one who is of your same rank, understand that you become superior to him by silence when his words are evil. There will be much discussion among those who listen and your name will be good among the authorities.

If you must deal with an argumentative man in a temper, one who is a humble man, not like yourself, do not become aggressive towards him because he is weak. Ignore him; he will confound himself. Don’t answer him to relieve your heart and don’t satisfy yourself by speaking evil of him. It is an unworthy person who injures a poor man. The authorities will want to do as you wish; you will best him before the magistrates.

If you sit at the table of a man superior to you, accept what he gives. Look at what is placed before you and don’t shoot many glances at him. Being forward to him is detestable to the spirit. Speak to him only at his calling; it is not known what may offend him. Speak when he addresses you and let your speech be pleasing.

If you are a trusted messenger, sent by one noble to another, be faithful to the form of him who sent you. Repeat his message as he spoke it. Guard against slander and don’t speak of one noble’s quarrels with another. Hold fast to the truth. Don’t repeat a tirade or gossip about any one, noble or commoner. That is an abomination to the spirit.

If you become a leader, listen patiently to the speech of a petitioner. Don’t rebuff him for complaining and don’t be harsh on him when he tells you his problem. A petitioner wants to be heard more than he wants his problem to be solved. About disposing of a plea: one may ask why it was rejected. Every petition cannot be approved but the heart is relieved by a good hearing.

If you want to keep a lasting friendship with a home which you enter as a lord, a brother, or a friend, or in any place you enter, beware of approaching the women. The place is not good where that is done; it is not wise to enter the harem. A man is diverted from goodness by it. One brief moment like a dream, and then one dies because of it.

If you want your conduct to be good, avoid every evil and turn your face from acts of greed. That is a corpse, an incurable sickness. Don’t begin greed! It creates strife between fathers, mothers, and uncles; it destroys marriages. It is a combination of all evils. It is a bag of everything hateful. A man will live long if he is honest and just. He makes his reputation thereby, but there is no tomb for the covetous heart.

If you are successful and establish your home, love your wife with embraces. Fill her belly and clothe her back. Anoint her limbs with perfumes and emollients. Make her happy as long as you live; she is a fertile field to her lord.

If you are a man of trust who sits in the hall of his lord, strive for excellence. Your silence may be more useful than chatter; speak only when you are sure you understand. Only the skilled should speak in council. Speaking is more difficult than any other work but understanding makes it serve.

If you become a great one who began as humble; if you are a wealthy person who began as poor in your home town where people know your past, remember that what happened to you is a gift of God and don’t place yourself ahead of other persons.

Bend your back to your superior, the supervisor from the palace. Then your house and its property will be secure. It is painful to have an adversary as a superior. One lives only at his mercy but it is not praising him merely to act friendly.

If you attend what I have told you, all your plans will succeed. Hearing is profitable to the son who listens. Then he will become a wise judge, listening attentively before speaking. How good it is when a son accepts his father’s advice! He will attain old age by living under it. God loves the listener but dislikes the inattentive. It is the heart which directs him to listen or not. Life! Prosperity! Health! to the man who follows his heart. It is by the love of listening that one obeys what is said. How good it is when a son listens to his father.How joyful the son when it is said of him that a son who listens is pleasing to the lord. He hears what is said to him and it stays with him. Thus he is honored by his father.He will be remembered in the words of the living and of the souls in earth and those who will be.

About a fool: a fool who does not listen can’t do anything. He sees knowledge as ignorance and blessings as sufferings, all his hateful doings burden him.His living is as dying. His food is poisonous speech; his character is known to the magistrates. He dies every day he lives. His life passes by with many mishaps to him every day. But the son who listens follows Horus. Good fortune follows him as he takes to heart what he hears.He will attain old age and become venerable. Then he will have to tell his children of the teachings of his father and they, in turn, will tell it to their children.

Additional Resources:
Lichtheim, Miriam. Ancient Egyptian Literature, Volumes 1-3. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1973-1980.
Parkinson, R.B. The Tale of Sinuhe and Other Ancient Egyptian Poems, 1930-1640 BC. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press, 1997.

Francis W. Niedenfuhr (CC ’98), an engineer with mathematical tendencies, has enjoyed teaching Ancient Egyptian at Georgetown University and the Institute for Learning in Retirement. He is a member of the Cosmos Club Travel Group.

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