TEACHINGS OF PTAHHOTEP

"41. A son that hearkeneth is as a Follower of Horus*. He is good after he hesrkeneth: he groweth old, he reacheth honor and reverence . He repeateth in like manner to his sons and daughters, so renewing the instruction of the father. Each man instructeth as did his begetter, repeating it unto his children. Let them [in turn ] speak with their sons and daughters, that they may be famous in their deeds. Let which that thou speaketh implant true things and just in the life of thy children. Then the highest authority shall arrive, and sins depart [from them]. And such men as see these things shall say, 'Surely that man has spoken to good purpose,' and they shall do likewise; or 'But surely that man was experienced.' And all people shall declare , 'It is they that shall direct the multitude; dignities are not complete without them.'" *[The 'Followers of Horus' was 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.] P. 59, "One Generation to Another," THE TEACHINGS OF PTAHHOTEP, THE OLDEST BOOK IN THE WORLD (1909, 2016) [translated by Battiscombe G. Gunn]