The Instructions of Ptah-Hotep
On Being an Obedient Son
A splendid thing is the obedience of an obedient son; he comes in and listens obediently.
Excellent in hearing, excellent in speaking, is every man that obeys what is noble; and the obedience of one who obeys is a noble thing.
Obedience is better than all things that are it makes good-will.
How good it is that a son should take that from his father by which he has reached old age (Obedience).
That which is desired by the God is obedience; disobedience is abhorred of the God.
Verily, it is the heart that makes its master to obey or to disobey; for the safe and sound life of a man are his heart.
It is the obedient man that obeys what is said; he that loves to obey, the same shall carry out commands.
He that obeys becomes one obeyed.
It is good indeed when a son obeys his father ; and he (his father) that has spoken has great joy of it. Such a son shall be mild as a master, and he that hears him shall obey him that has spoken. He shall be comely in body and honored by his father. His memory shall be in the mouths of the living, those upon earth, as long as they exist.
