[276] Perhaps a professional orator, sophist, or the like. [277] _I. e._, when he is at his occupation; in the heat of argument. [278] Perhaps "bold of heart." [279] Or, "it shall not hurt thee." [280] This is very uncertain. Its morality hardly accords with that of the rest of the book. Perhaps the youth is recommended to wait, even when he is called ignorant, until his heart has obtained full command of his knowledge and can successfully employ it in his argument. [281] As we speak of "the education of a gentleman." [282] Flatter (?). [283] A frequent phrase, but the meaning of it is obscure. [284] _I. e._, "in a gentlemanly manner"; but the last half of this section is obscure. [285] A remarkable word used here in regard to the contest between justice and injustice; in the next phrase there is a reference to the myth of Osiris and Set, in which good, in the persons of Osiris and Horus, survives evil in the person of Set. [286] This seems to refer to the profession of brigand and pillager. [287] By God's favor. [288] Perhaps a gesture expressing humble acquiescence. [289] _Lit._, _Ka_ in Egyptian. [290] As uncertain as groping in the dark. [291] Be not sure of the childless man's estate. He can take a second wife and disappoint you. [292] The time appointed to it for its own activity, or as we should say, its "day." [293] Room is made for him. [294] _Lit._, belly. [295] Salary in kind. [296] The second text gives "Let thy face [be shining] when thou makest a feast. Verily that which cometh out of the store doth not enter [?], but bread is apportioned; he that is niggardly of face is remorseful; [?] his belly is empty. He that remembereth a man is kind unto him in the years after the staff [of power?]." The last expression may mean "after the loss of authority." [297] Variant "beseech." The meaning of the section is not certain. [298] To be in an ambiguous position. (?) [299] Or "then all thy ways shall have the lead." [300] _Ba_, in Egyptian: the person who has learned good conduct (the ignorant cannot) pours benediction upon the soul of him who set the example of it, when he finds himself profited on earth by the practice thereof. [301] The word presupposes education, as often. [302] A frequent collocation of words; as for instance, following the mention of a royal person. [303] _Amakh._ See note to Section 41. [304] The words "a son" seem inserted. [305] Or "is fit only for hard manual labor." [306] _I. e._, one of the loyal adherents of Horus the son of Osiris in his war against the evil Set. [307] The blessed state of well-earned repose and rewards, both in this world and in the next, after faithful service.