Sec.8
we gather that the attempted assassination took place just before the
dual rule; while the Instruction was evidently penned shortly before
the writer's death. The 'house' referred to is presumably his
pyramid-tomb, called Ke'-nofer-amenemhe'et. _Amenemhe'et is exalted
and good_. The site of this building is not known.

This Instruction was popular as a school exercise in the 'New Kingdom,'
and we possess several copies or parts of copies. There is no good
text for the latter part (Sec.Sec. 12 _ff_), which is corrupt in such MSS. as
contain it.

I have used the critical text of Mr. Griffith, published in the
_Zeitschrift fuer aegyptische Sprache_, 1896.

It is hoped that the Bibliography will be useful to students of the
books of Ptah-hotep and Ke'gemni.

B. G. G.

{67}

THE INSTRUCTION OF AMENEMHE'ET

A Palace Conspiracy--Hail and Farewell

Beginneth here the Instruction made by the Majesty of the King of Upper
and Lower Egypt SEHOTEP-'EB-RE', Son of the Sun AMENEMHE'ET, the
Justified.[1] He speaketh thus in discovering words of truth unto his
Son, the Lord of the World:

1. Shine forth, he saith, even as the God. Hearken to that which I
say unto thee: that thou may reign over the land, that thou may govern
the world, that thou may excel in goodness.

2. Let one withdraw himself from his subordinates entirely. It
befalleth that mankind give their hearts unto one that causeth them
fear. Mix not among them alone; fill not thine heart with a brother;
know not a trusted friend; make for thyself no familiar dependents; in
these things is no satisfaction.

3. When thou liest down have care for thy very life,[2] since friends
exist not for a man in the {68} day of misfortunes. I gave to the
beggar, and caused the orphan to live; I made him that had not to
attain, even as he that had.

4. But it was the eater of my food that made insurrection against me;
to whom I gave mine hands, he created disturbance thereby; they that
arrayed them in my fine linen regarded me a shadow; and it was they
that anointed themselves with my spices that entered my harem.

5. My images are among the living; and my achievements are among men.
But I have made an heroic story that hath not been heard; a great feat
of arms that hath not been seen. Surely one fighteth for a lassoed ox
that forgetteth yesterday;[3] and good fortune is of no avail unto one
that cannot perceive it.

6. It was after the eve