Maxims of Ptahhotep (Egyptian)

The Maxims of Ptahhotep is an ancient Egyptian wisdom text, likely authored by a vizier during the Old Kingdom, offering ethical and moral instructions. It is considered one of the earliest surviving examples of wisdom literature and provides valuable insight into ancient Egyptian societal values.

Sources for Maxims of Ptahhotep (Egyptian)

• Read the full text
• https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/30508
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instruction_of_Ptahhotep

Maxims of Ptahhotep (Egyptian) in Wisdom Literature

Held in the Wisdom Literature chamber of the Babel Nexus Index.

• The Instructions of Shuruppak (Sumerian) (−2600)
• Instructions of Amenemhat (Egyptian) (−1900)
• Disputations or Literary Debates (Sumerian) (−2000)
• The Poem of the Righteous Sufferer (Ludlul bēl nēmeqi, Babylonian) (−1300)
• The Story of Aḥikar (Aramaic) (−500)
• Counsels of Wisdom (Babylonian) (−1000)
• Dialogue of Pessimism (Babylonian — "Nothing Is Of Value") (−1000)
• Instructions of Šūpê-amēli (Akkadian) (−1100)
• Instructions of Kagemni (Egyptian) (−2300)
• Nig-Nam Nu-Kal — "Nothing is of Value" (Sumerian) (−2000)
• Maxims of Ali ibn Abi Talib (c. 660)