Ptahhotep · Philosophy

Leadership Without Arrogance

Ptahhotep’s counsel for those who hold power - hear the petitioner patiently, for a good hearing soothes the heart; guard against greed, the one disease he calls incurable; and stay humble in success, remembering that high place is a gift, not a private achievement.

What you'll be able to recall

You learned that Ptahhotep taught leaders to hear the petitioner fully (the hearing itself ‘soothes the heart’), to guard above all against covetousness - which he called a grievous, incurable inner malady - and to stay humble in success. Explain his vision of leadership without arrogance.

Leads to Seneca.

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