File:Statuevizir095.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Ptahhotep
Sign in to saveAlso known as Ptah-Hotep, Ptah-hotep, Ptah Hotep, Ptahhotpe
Ptahhotep ( "Peace of Ptah"; ), sometimes referred to as Ptahhotep I or Ptahhotpe, was a vizier during the reign of Djedkare Isesi in Egypt’s Fifth Dynasty. He is best known as the author of The Maxims of Ptahhotep, one of the earliest works of Egyptian wisdom literature, intended to instruct young men in proper conduct and ethical behavior.
OverviewAI-generated
Ptahhotep was an Ancient Egyptian philosopher who lived from 2450 BCE to 2400 BCE. He is best known for his notable work, The Maxims of Ptahhotep. Other attributed works include The teaching of Ptahhotep, Les maximes de Ptaḥḥotep, and Teachings of Ptahhotep. He also authored Instruction of Ptah-Hotep and the Instruction of Ke'gemni; the Oldest Books in the World; and The instruction of Ptah-hotep.
His writings contain quotes such as "Truth is great and its effectiveness endures" and "Beware an act of avarice; it is bad and incurable disease." Ptahhotep is referenced by 32 other encyclopedia articles and is included in the Wikipedia Vital articles Level 4 focus list.
Synthesized by Vinony from 19 facts across 5 sources: Wikidata, Open Library, Last.fm, Wikiquote, Vinony graph. Generated from structured data (not the Wikipedia text) and checked against those facts — may still contain errors.
Person · Open Library
- Works
- 6
Top works
- The teaching of Ptahhotep
- Les maximes de Ptaḥḥotep
- Teachings of Ptahhotep
- Instruction of Ptah-Hotep and the Instruction of Ke'gemni; the Oldest Books in the World;
- The instruction of Ptah-hotep
via Open Library + Wikidata
Listeners · Last.fm
- Listeners
- 6
- Total plays
- 29
<a href="https://www.last.fm/music/PtahHotep">Read more on Last.fm</a>
Quotes
- “Teach him what has been said in the past; then he will set a good example to the children of the magistrates, and judgement and all exactitude shall enter into him. Speak to him, for there is none born wise.”
- “Do not be arrogant because of your knowledge, but confer with the ignorant man as with the learned. For knowledge has no limits, and none has yet achieved perfection in it. Good speech is more hidden than malachite, yet it is found in the possession of women slaves at the millstones.”
- “Truth is great and its effectiveness endures.”
- “Follow your desire as long as you live and do not perform more than is ordered; do not lessen the time of following desire, for the wasting of time is an abomination to the spirit... When riches are gained, follow desire, for riches will not profit if one is sluggish.”
- “The pleasure is only for a little moment, and it [passes] like a dream, and a man at the end thereof finds death through knowing it.”
- “Beware an act of avarice; it is bad and incurable disease.”
via Wikiquote · CC BY-SA
Key facts
- Egyptian dignitary.Name
- Ptahhotep
- Egyptian dignitary.egyptian_name
- p:t-H-Htp:t*p-A1
- Egyptian dignitary.Image
- Statuevizir095.jpg
- Egyptian dignitary.Caption
- Ptahhotep with two different wigs - Imhotep Museum in Saqqara
- Egyptian dignitary.Style
- Vizier of Egypt
- Egyptian dignitary.Tenure
- 2400 BC
- Egyptian dignitary.Pharaoh
- Isesi
- Egyptian dignitary.Burial
- Mastaba D62, Saqqara, Egypt
- Egyptian dignitary.Wife
- Khamerernebty
- Egyptian dignitary.Children
- Akhethetep
via Wikipedia infobox
~6 min read
Encyclopedic overview
7 sectionsContents
- Life
- Mastaba
- ''The Maxims of Ptahhotep''
- Possible deification
- References
- Bibliography
- External links
Ptahhotep ( "Peace of Ptah"; ), sometimes referred to as Ptahhotep I or Ptahhotpe, was a vizier during the reign of Djedkare Isesi in Egypt’s Fifth Dynasty. He is best known as the author of The Maxims of Ptahhotep, one of the earliest works of Egyptian wisdom literature, intended to instruct young men in proper conduct and ethical behavior.
Ptahhotep held the highest administrative office under the pharaoh, but his legacy extends beyond politics. He is regarded as one of the earliest recorded philosophers, whose teachings emphasized humility, justice, restraint in speech, and respect for social order (Maat). His writings were addressed initially to his son, Akhethetep, and later copied by scribes for centuries, ensuring their influence on Egyptian thought.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Ptahhotep” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.