When Dauf the sage of Sebennytus went up to the Royal Residence with his
son Pepy to take him to the "Court Writing-School," he admonished him
"to set his heart upon writing, to love it as his mother, for there is
naught that surpasseth it." He thereupon composes a poem in praise of
_the_ profession, to the disparagement of all other callings:--
"Behold, there is no profession that is not under rule;
Only the man of learning himself ruleth."
And then,
"Never have I seen the engraver an ambassador,
Or the goldsmith with an embassy;
But I have seen the smith at his work
At the mouth of his furnace;
His fingers were as crocodile [hide],
He stank more than fish-roe.
"A craftsman who plieth the chisel
Is wearied more than he who tilleth the soil;
Wood is his field, and bronze his implement;
At night--is he released?
He worketh more than his arms are able;
At night he lighteth a light."
Etc., etc.
[The praise of learning was a favorite subject with pedagogue and
parent. According to other sages] "the unlearned whose name no man
knoweth, is like unto a heavy-laden ass, driven by the scribe," while
"he who hath set learning in his heart" is exempt from labor "and
becometh a wise noble." "The rank of a scribe is princely; his writing
outfit and his papyrus roll bring comfort and wealth." "The scribe alone
guideth the labor of all men; but if labor in writing is hateful to him,
then the goddess of good fortune is not with him."
"O scribe, be not lazy, be not lazy, else thou shalt be soundly
chastised; give not thy heart to vain desires, or thou wilt come to
ruin. Book in hand, read with thy mouth, and take the advice of those
who know more than thyself. Prepare for thyself the office of a noble,
that thou mayest attain thereto when thou art become old. Happy is the
scribe clever in all his offices. Be strong and diligent in daily work.
Pass no day idly, or thou wilt be flogged, for the ears of a boy are on
his back, and he heareth when he is flogged. Let thine heart hear what I
say; it will bring thee to fortune. Be strong in asking advice; do not
overlook it in writing; be not disgusted at it. Therefore let thine
heart hear my words; thou shalt find fortune thereby."
Revised from the German of Adolf Erman.