TheInstructions of Kagemni is anancient Egyptian instructionaltext ofwisdom literature which belongs to thesebayt ('teaching') genre. Although the earliest evidence of its compilation dates to theMiddle Kingdom of Egypt, its authorship has traditionally yet dubiously been attributed toKagemni,[1] avizier who served during the reign of the PharaohSneferu (r. 2613–2589 BC), founder of theFourth Dynasty (belonging to theOld Kingdom).
The earliest known source for theInstructions of Kagemni is thePrisse Papyrus.[4] This text dates to the much latertwelfth dynasty of theMiddle Kingdom of Egypt (perhaps by the reign ofAmenemhat II from 1929 BC to 1895 BC, or a bit later in the twelfth dynasty).[5] It is written in theMiddle Egyptian language and in an archaic style of cursivehieratic.[5]
Only the end of this teaching text has survived; on the Prisse Papyrus, it is followed by the complete version ofThe Maxims of Ptahhotep.[6] It is unknown how much of the text from its beginning is actually lost.[7] Kagemni, who the text mentions as the vizier under Sneferu, is perhaps based onanother vizier named Kagemni who lived during thesixth dynasty of Egypt.[7] Kagemni is hinted as being the pupil rather than the teacher of virtues and morals in the text, and it has been proposed by scholars that his father was Kaire, a sage mentioned in theRamesside-eraEulogy of Dead Writers (Papyrus Chester Beatty IV).[8] Although the authorship of the text is attributed to Kagemni, it was common for ancient Egyptian wisdom texts to be falsely attributed to prestigious historical figures of much earlier times.[9]
Written as a pragmatic guidebook of advice for the son of a vizier, theInstructions of Kagemni is similar toThe Maxims of Ptahhotep. It differs from later teaching texts such as theInstruction of Amenemope, which emphasizes piety, and theInstructions of Amenemhat, which William Simpson (aprofessor emeritus ofEgyptology atYale University) described as a "political piece cast in instruction form."[10]Kagemni advises that one should follow a path of modesty and moderation, which is contrasted with things to avoid: pride and gluttony.[11] InKagemni, the "silent man" who is modest, calm, and practices self-control is seen as the most virtuous; this type of person is later contrasted with his polar opposite, the "heated man", inAmenemope.[12] According toMiriam Lichtheim, the virtuous "silent man" first described inKagemni "was destined for a major role in Egyptian morality."[13]