Ptahhotep · Philosophy

Ma’at: Right Order, Truth, and Justice

The single standard beneath every maxim - <em>ma&rsquo;at</em>, the Egyptian idea of truth, justice, and right order woven into the cosmos itself. &lsquo;Great is Truth,&rsquo; Ptahhotep says, &lsquo;never overthrown since the reign of Osiris&rsquo;: wrongdoing may seize riches for a season, but <em>ma&rsquo;at</em> endures.

What you'll be able to recall

You learned that ma&rsquo;at is the standard beneath every maxim - truth, justice, and right cosmic and social order - and that Ptahhotep held it to be great and enduring (&lsquo;never overthrown since the reign of Osiris&rsquo;), so that wrongdoing may seize wealth for a time but cannot finally prevail. Explain what…

Leads to Laozi.

Begin this lesson →
← All lessons on Ptahhotep

epoché — a humanities education that remembers you.