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The Teachings of Ptahhotep | The Oldest Book in the World (Ancient Egyptian Wisdom Text)
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The Teachings of Ptahhotep | The Oldest Book in the World
The Teachings of Ptahhotep, also known as The Instruction of Ptah-Hotep or The Maxims of Ptahhotep, is regarded by many scholars as the oldest book in the world. Written by Ptahhotep, vizier to King Isesi of Egypt’s Fifth Dynasty (ca. 2414–2375 BCE), this timeless work offers wisdom in the sebayt (“teaching”) tradition—guidance passed from father to son on ethics, human relations, and living in harmony with others.
The text survives through papyrus manuscripts such as the celebrated Prisse Papyrus, preserved today in the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris. Across the millennia, its insights remain astonishingly relevant: humility, kindness, respect, justice, and integrity form the pillars of its instruction.
Why This Book Matters
- Considered the oldest surviving wisdom text in human history
- Offers practical and ethical teachings for daily life and leadership
- Bridges Ancient Egyptian philosophy with timeless human values
- Essential reading for students of Hermeticism, philosophy, and world wisdom traditions
Add The Teachings of Ptahhotep to your Mystic Library and connect with the roots of sacred philosophy stretching back over 4,000 years.
ISBN: 0945708025 | Format: Paperback | Publisher: The Book Tree
