[The so-called Prisse Papyrus was obtained at Thebes by the
French artist and Egyptologist who gave it the name by which it
is now known. It is a celebrated document, though as yet but
little understood. The language being difficult and the text in
many places corrupt, it is useless to offer a complete
translation. In the following, several passages are omitted
altogether, and the most uncertain portions are italicized, and
even of what remains very little can be guaranteed. The
beginning is lost; the first two pages contain the end of a
book of proverbs, the text of which falls naturally into
sections, although it is not divided by rubrics.]
1. [The first section lays down axioms in regard to discretion in
speech.
"The cautious man succeeds; the accurate man is praised; to the man of
silence the sleeping-chamber is opened. Wide scope hath he who is
acquiescent in his speech; knives are set against him who forceth his
way wrongfully. _Let no one approach out of his turn._"