“I bore this fable in my mind for my son’s sake, and watched in silence at what pace he was ruling his people.  Now I have discovered what I wish to know, and this is my advice:  Examine into everything your self.  It is the duty of every man, but especially of a king, to acquaint himself intimately with all that concerns the weal or woe of his people.  You, my son, are in the habit of using the eyes and ears of other men instead of going to the fountain-head yourself.  I am sure that your advisers, the priests, only desire what is good; but . . .  Neithotep, I must beg you to leave us alone for a few moments.”

When the priest was gone the king exclaimed “They wish for what is good, but good only for themselves.  But we are not kings of priests and aristocrats only, we are kings of a nation!  Do not listen to the advice of this proud caste alone, but read every petition yourself, and, by appointing Nomarchs devoted to the king and beloved by the people, make yourself acquainted with the needs and wishes of the Egyptian nation.  It is not difficult to govern well, if you are aware of the state of feeling in your land.  Choose fit men to fill the offices of state.  I have taken care that the kingdom shall be properly divided.  The laws are good, and have proved themselves so; hold fast by these laws, and trust no one who sets himself above them; for law is invariably wiser than the individual man, and its transgressor deserves his punishment.  The people understand this well, and are ready to sacrifice themselves for us, when they see that we are ready to give up our own will to the law.  You do not care for the people.  I know their voice is often rude and rough, but it utters wholesome truths, and no one needs to hear truth more than a king.  The Pharaoh who chooses priests and courtiers for his advisers, will hear plenty of flattering words, while he who tries to fulfil the wishes of the nation will have much to suffer from those around him; but the latter will feel peace in his own heart, and be praised in the ages to come.  I have often erred, yet the Egyptians will weep for me, as one who knew their needs and considered their welfare like a father.  A king who really knows his duties, finds it an easy and beautiful task to win the love of the people—­an unthankful one to gain the applause of the great—­ almost an impossibility to content both.

“Do not forget,—­I say it again,—­that kings and priests exist for the people, and not the people for their kings and priests.  Honor religion for its own sake and as the most important means of securing the obedience of the governed to their governors; but at the same time show its promulgators that you look on them, not as receptacles, but as servants, of the Deity.  Hold fast, as the law commands, by what is old; but never shut the gates of your kingdom against what is new, if better.  Bad men break at once with the old traditions; fools only care for what is new and fresh; the narrowminded and the selfish