On Leadership

If thou art a leader, be gracious in hearing the speech of a petitioner. Do not rebuff him before he has fully said his say; one who is wronged desires to pour out his heart more than he desires to see the matter remedied. He who cuts short the hearing of a petitioner, men will say of him: Why does he act thus? Not every matter that is petitioned comes to pass; but a good hearing soothes the heart.

If thou art a leader, direct the affairs entrusted to thee; do those things which are worthy of note. Let thy conduct be without fault. Maat is great, and its effectiveness endures. It has not been overturned since the time of Osiris. He who departs from its laws is punished. It lies as a path before even him who knows nothing, and wrongdoing has never yet brought its venture safe to port.

Cause not terror among men, for God has struck those who do so. He who lives by this shall want for bread. Let not thyself become mighty merely by strength of thine arm, lest evil befall thee. Let not the men who dwell about thee fear thee, for it shall avail thee nothing, and one day they will not obey thee.