1 h 41 minAudiobook14 minSummaryRead it, hear it, the 15-minute summary, and print and large print at cost
Audiobook edition · 1 h 41 minPaperback · 6 × 9 in · printing soonHardcover · 6 × 9 in · printing soonAbout this book
What if learning to hold power begins with learning to listen?
The Instruction of Ptahhotep and the Instruction of Ke'Gemni bring together two short teaching texts from ancient Egypt. Each presents an experienced official advising a younger man who will one day hold power. Ptahhotep opens with an old man describing his failing body, ready to pass on lessons in conduct.
These teachings explore what makes an official worthy of trust: careful speech, fairness to the poor, humility, and self-control. At their heart stands Maat, the Egyptian idea of truth and right order. Copied by scribes for centuries to train boys for government service, they offer a practical handbook of character rather than a theory of government.
What you’ll discover
- Listening before speaking Explore Ptahhotep's claim that learning to hear prepares a person to speak, act, and earn trust.
- Power with humility Consider advice for living among people above and below you without forgetting fairness.
- Appetite and anger Meet teachings that return to self-control, from calm table manners to warnings against greed.
- Words that carry weight Discover why Ptahhotep treats good speech as rare, precious, and deserving of care.
- Justice in daily conduct See how truth and right order shape the texts' picture of a good official.
Who will love it
This book suits readers who love proverbs and wise sayings, anyone curious about how ancient Egyptians thought about leadership, manners and justice, and those who enjoy an old voice speaking plainly about character.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- Wisdom is a gift handed down
- Let the situation guide your speech
- Fair leadership begins with listening
- Restraint protects the trust others give
- Care for people rather than wealth
- Listening prepares a person to lead
- Restraint and caution guard trust
- A good name outlasts the body
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The Instruction of Ptah-Hotep and the Instruction of Ke'Gemni
An old vizier asks the king for permission to teach his son how to speak, lead and live well.
Medium levelUnder 2 hours to read16 languages
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In short
What would you teach a young man if you had only a few years left and a whole life of lessons to pass on? An old Egyptian vizier named Ptah-hotep answers that question in the oldest known writing about how to live.
The Instruction of Ptah-Hotep and the Instruction of Ke'Gemni at a glance
- Reading time
- About 55 min45 min fast, 1 h 10 min slow
- Length
- 13,500 words
- Library level
- Medium longer sentences, everyday words
Reading time at 238 words a minute (fast 300, slow 200). How long the classics take to read · Updated
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
An old vizier asks to hand on wisdom
The book opens with a petition. Ptah-hotep, governor of his city and vizier under King Isosi, tells his ruler that the end of life is near. He describes old age in blunt detail. His eyes are dim, his ears fail, and his heart cannot recall yesterday. His bones ache, and food has lost its taste.
He does not ask for rest. He asks that his son be given his office, and that he be allowed to teach the young man the words of the men of old. The aim is stated clearly. Sin should be driven away from thoughtful people, and the lands should be enlightened. This is a public purpose, not only a family matter.
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Which edition is right for me
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas of the whole book in about 14 minutes. A good first look, or a refresher.
Details
- Language
- English
- Reading time
- 1 h 5 min
- Level
- Medium level
Cite this edition
Ptahhotep, and Kagemna. The Instruction of Ptah-Hotep and the Instruction of Ke'Gemni. Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-instruction-of-ptah-hotep-and-the-instruction-of-kegemni.
Ptahhotep, & Kagemna. (2026). The instruction of Ptah-Hotep and the instruction of Ke'Gemni. Library of Alexandria. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-instruction-of-ptah-hotep-and-the-instruction-of-kegemni
Ptahhotep, and Kagemna. The Instruction of Ptah-Hotep and the Instruction of Ke'Gemni. Library of Alexandria, 2026. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-instruction-of-ptah-hotep-and-the-instruction-of-kegemni.
@book{ptahhotep2026instruction,
author = {Ptahhotep and Kagemna},
title = {The Instruction of Ptah-Hotep and the Instruction of Ke'Gemni},
publisher = {Library of Alexandria},
year = {2026},
url = {https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-instruction-of-ptah-hotep-and-the-instruction-of-kegemni}
}
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What is the Instruction of Ptah-hotep about?
It is a set of sayings from an old vizier to his son on gracious speech, fair leadership, good manners, avoiding greed, kindness at home, and the value of listening to a father's teaching.
Who was Ptah-hotep?
Ptah-hotep is presented as governor of his city and vizier under King Isosi. In the text he asks the king to let his son take his post, and he says he lived 110 years.
Who is Ke'gemni and what does his instruction teach?
Ke'gemni is the vizier named at the close of the second instruction. It teaches restraint, such as moderation at meals and gentle speech, and it describes a vizier’s children reading the sayings before Ke’gemni is appointed vizier.
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