Amenemope (author)

Hieratic ostracon with the beginning of "The Wisdom of Amenemope", dated to 525–404 BC.

Quotes

The Instruction of Amenemope

Translated by Miriam Lichtheim

• Beginning of the teaching for life,
  The instructions for well-being . . .
  Knowing how to answer one who speaks,
  To reply to one who sends a message.
  • Prologue

• The truly silent, who keep apart,
  He is like a tree grown in a meadow.
  It greens, it doubles its yield,
  It stands in front of its lord.
  Its fruit is sweet, its shade delightful,
  Its end comes in the garden.
  • ch. 4

• Do not move the markers on the border of the fields.
  • ch. 6

• Do not set your heart on wealth . . .
  Do not strain to seek increases,
  What you have, let it suffice you.
  If riches come to you by theft,
  They will not stay the night with you . . .
  They made themselves wings like geese,
  And flew away to the sky.
  • ch. 7