The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1903-07-10
OLDEST MORAL MAXIMS.

DA/o ANAOAt<AA Vl IA N NSs
The Presse-Papyrus, recently found
in the tombs of Egypt, has now been
translated by the famous French
Psychologist, Philippe Vivey, who
gives some interesting data as to it's
character and contents. The docu.
ment, according to the Literary Digest,
was originally found in Thebes, and
was written about 26OO B. c., being
the oldest collection of moral maxims
known. The first two pages are the
product of the Prefect Kakimna, who
lived under the reign of King Senofer-
Gus, of the third dynasty $1,000 B. O..
The second and larger portion, consist
ing of l6 pages, is the work of the
Prefect Ptah ho-tep, who lived in the
days of King Assas, of the fifth dynas-
ty (3500 B. CO.. This man had at
tanned to all the honors that his royal
master could bestow upon him, and in
his old age he prepared this book of
practical wisdom and philosophy,
primarily for his own son, but also for
readers in general. From the transla-
tions as found in the Berlin Norddeut-
sche Allgemeine Zeitung we reproduce
the following specimens of this ancient
sage's wisdom:
Be not proud of your wisdom, but
speak to the ignorant man as you do
to the learned. For the boundaries of
knowledge are never closed, and no
savant possesses the fullness of knovl-
edge. But it is more difficult to find
wisdom than to discover genius.
If you must deal with an antagonist
while he is in anger, and he is more
powerful than you, then bend your
neck to him. Since he will not per-
nit you to destroy his language, do
not interrupt him. This shows that
you can keep quiet if you are opposed,
and you have the advantage over him
if you do not become excited.
If you have the position of leader
and must decide the fate of many peo-
pie, then seek out the best way that
you may not suffer reproach. Do not
intimidate people or God will antago-
nize you also.
If you are of a company who are
taking meal in the house of promi-
nent man, then take what is given
you and bend yourself humbly. See
what is before you, but do not stare at
what is blameworthy.
Do not speak more to a great man
han he asks you, because you cannot
Know what will displease him. If you
carry messages from one grea. man to
mother, then do exactly as you are
lirected.
A thousand men have been lost on
'ccount of their enjoyment of a mo-
nent, which is as brief as dream,
md they reap death as a consequence.
5e on your guard against attack of
vii impulses.
That is a sad sickness that leads to
lissensions between father and mother,
'rother and sister, and causes husband
nd wife to despise each other. If you
re wise you will make provisions for
our house and preserve pure love
or your wife. Fill her stomach, clothe
Ter back and care for the wants of her
'ody. Be affectionate to her and sat-
sly her wishes as long as she is yours;
his is friendship on the part of her mas
er.
You can manage wife bet.
or by persuasion :han by force.
81 not brutal. Then she will take
ood care of your house; but if
ou cast her aside all is lost. Rather
han open to her the arms of your af-
ection, call her with the voice of love.
Oh, the pungent, keen aroma
Of the leaves so lightly bruised
And the tinkle of the broken ice,
With joy our souls infused
And the brown and oily liquor
So old-so old and dear
All prove the seasons on again
Mint-jolep
Time
Is here.