[1] The King. [2] Title of an order of the priesthood. [3] The customary attitude of a submissive inferior at that time. [4] The God Osiris was believed to have reigned on earth many thousand years before Menes, the first historical king. [5] Soul = _ka'_, and throughout this work. _Ka'_ is translated _person_ in Sec. 22, _will_ in Sec. 27. [6] An obscure or corrupt phrase here follows, which does not admit of satisfactory translation. [7] Translation doubtful. [8] _i.e._ comfortable. [9] His belly, presumably. [10] The above translation is not satisfactory; the text may be corrupt. No intelligible translation of it has yet been made. [11] _i.e._ all wickedness is contained therein. [12] A servant. [13] Compare Prov. xvii. 18. [14] So also in life, by diversity of aim, alternating work and play, happiness is secured. Tacking is evidently meant in the case of the steersman. [15] This section refers to the relations between the son of a nobleman and his tutor, dwelling on the benefits from former pupils in high places, if their schooldays have been pleasant. The last sentence of this section, as of sections 23 and 25, is somewhat _a propos des bottes_. [16] An obscure phrase is here. [17] Literally, "It is that which preventeth the heart from advancing (?)" A curious phrase. [18] Literally, after his stick or sceptre. [19] Who knows them. [20] The greater part of this section is a play upon the root _'sodem_, which in its meaning includes our _hear_ (_listen_) and _obey_. This tiresome torture of words is frequent in Egyptian, especially in old religious texts. [21] The "Followers of Horus" are a legendary dynasty of demigods, believed by the Egyptians to have ruled for about 13,400 years after the reign of Horus, and before that of Menes. There is also an order of spirits of this name. [22] A word of unknown meaning; apparently some kind of plant. Such a word seems out of place here, and may be idiomatic, like our "flowery language." But the preceding line obviously refers to this book. {62} THE INSTRUCTION OF KE'GEMNI On Avoiding Offence 1.[1] The cautious man flourisheth, the exact one is praised; the innermost chamber openeth unto the man of silence. Wide[2] is the seat of the man gentle of speech; but knives are prepared against one that forceth a path, that he advance not, save in due season. 2. If thou sit with a company of people, desire not the bread that thou likest: short is the time of restraining the heart, and gluttony is an abomination; therein is the quality of a beast. A cup of water quencheth the thirst, and a mouthful of melon supporteth the heart. A good thing standeth for goodness, but some small thing standeth for plenty.[3] A base man is he that is governed by his belly; he departeth only when he is no longer able to fill full his belly in men's houses. {63} 3. If thou sit with a glutton, eat with him, then depart (?).