Loyalist Teaching


The hereditary prince, count, wearer of the royal seal, sole companion in love, magnate of the king of Upper Egypt, great one of the King of Lower Egypt, prince at the head of the people, overseer of horn, hoof and feather, [overseer] of the two pleasure-marshes, whose coming is heeded by the court, to whom the bodies tell their affairs, whose excellence the Lord of the Two Lands sees, whom he hath exalted before the two regions, possessed of silver and gold, mighty in costly stones, a man of truth before the Two Lands, a truthful witness like Thoth, master of secret things in the temples, chief of all works of the king's-house, more accurate than the weight, the likeness of the balances, taking thought, excellent in counsel, speaking that which is good, repeating that which is loved, taking thought, without his like, good at listening, excellent in speaking, a prince who looses the knot, whom his lord exalts before millions, real image of love, free from acting deceit, favorite of the heart of the king, to whom is assigned (the office of) "Pillar of the South" in the king's-house, who follows his lord at his goings, entering into his heart before the court; belonging behind his lord, being the favorite of the Horus, excellent in the palace; real favorite of his lord; to whom secret matters are told, who finds the word of counsel, sweetening misfortune, doing things by good rule, the wearer of the royal seal, overseer of royal property, deputy of the chief treasurer, Sehetepibre; he saith: ........

Now, I made this excellent tomb, and beautified its place. I gave contracts for the remuneration of the prophets of Abydos. I acted as "Son-Whom-He-Loves" in the conduct pf the house of gold, in the secrets of the lord of Abydos. I conducted the work on the sacred barge, I fashioned its colors, I acted as Hakro (hAkrA [4]) of his Lord (at) every procession of Upwawet, making for him all the festal offerings, which the prophet read. I clothed the god at his procession by virtue of my office as master of secret things, and by my duty as [/// ///]. I was one whose two hands wer [///] in adorning the god, a (sm-)priest with pure fingers. May I be a follower of the god, in order that I may be glorious and mighty at the stairway of the lord of Abydos. The beginning of the teaching which he composed before his children.

I have something important to say; I shall have you hear it, and I shall let you know it: the design for eternity, a way of life as it should be and of passing a lifetime at peace. Adore the king, Nimaatre, living forever, in your innermost parts. Place His Majesty in friendly fashion in your thoughts. He is perception, which is in (all) hearts, and his eyes piece through every being. He is Re, by whose rays one sees, for he is one who illumines the Two Lands more than the sun disk. He is one who makes (the land) green, even more than a high inundation: he has filled the Two Lands with victory and life. Nostrils are cool when he starts to rage, but when he sets in peace, one can breathe the air (again). He gives nourishment to those in his circle, and he feeds the one who sticks to his path. The king is Ka. His utterance is Abundance. The one whom he brought up is one who will be somebody. His is Khnum for all limbs, the Begetter of the begotten. He is Bastet, who protects the Two Lands. The one who praises him will be protected by his arm. He is Sakhmet, against those who disobey his orders, and the one with whom he disagrees will be laden with sorrow. Fight on behalf of his name: be obeisant to his life. Be free and clear of any instance of negligence. The one whom the king loves shall be a well provided spirit; there is no tomb for anyone who rebels against His Majesty, and his corpse shall be cast to the waters. Do this, and your body will flourish, and you will find it (excellent) for eternity.

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