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Rating: In today's world, the enigmatic Sphinxes sizzle under the sun along mysterious paths, in a vacant wait, concealing unconfessable secrets. In an era now dissolved and mummified, they were witnesses to lavish processions of an imaginative aristocratic civilization. From the static and imposing zoocephalic deities emerge from the remote past, papyri yellowed by the relentless effects of time.
Illuminating writings comprehensible to all.
A few days ago, while observing my withered library in the unlikely attempt to create some order, I found, in a poorly placed corner, a tiny and singular booklet of 48 pages (6X10 cm).
An original selection of writings, chosen and translated by Rachewiltz.
The aforementioned are drawn from: Ptahotep (c. 2675 B.C.), Kagemni (2778-2723 B.C.), from King Kati for his son Merikara (mid 3rd millennium B.C.), from the stele of Antef son of Sent, from Anij, and from Amenemapt.
The concise introduction delves into the practical nature of Egyptian thought, which employed a primary process of interchange with the Theocratic State. Particularly in the realization of maxims and sentences, called “Sbòjet”, that is “Instructions”. A formative genre par excellence, dating back to an immemorial antiquity.
Due to the limited space available in the mini-book, it is not feasible to examine the topic exhaustively. Consequently, it is, tout court, a restricted collection of maxims. A fleeting and evocative journey into the fourth dimension, immanent and infinite, where just and honest people meet to converse. Out of curiosity, some have been extracted.
“He who commands must be wary of the days yet to come.”
“I remain calm, without hurried impulses, whatever circumstances may arise, and understanding the possibility of making mistakes.”
“Better is bread of flour and water with a loving heart than rich foods with disputes and discord.”
“I am a man who stands firm, whose plans are well-considered and who invites discussion with him.”
“Better is praise that comes with the people's love than wealth locked in the Treasury.”
“I am a man who is silent in the face of the furious and in the face of the fool, to suppress anger.”
“Do not be arrogant because of your culture and do not have excessive confidence in yourself. Take advice from the ignorant as well as from the wise, for the extreme limits of knowledge cannot be reached, and no artist fully possesses his art. A good speech is more hidden than a precious emerald, yet we can hear it from a slave at the mill.”
The cover image depicts Queen Nefertari, wife of Ramses II, led by the goddess Isis (tomb fresco, 1333 B.C.). The booklet (n.772), curated by V. Scheiwiller, was printed on 15/7/1954 in 2000 copies.
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