The Eloquent Peasant Page 1

(This interlinear version borrows exclusively Mark-Jan Nederhof's scholarly text, Serge os!orduc's
co!"act but "owerful Jsesh, which ex"orted all the one-line w!fs, and Jenny #arrington's accurate gifs,
which hel"ed !e co!"lete the Md# files$ %t "ays to lurk and listen$ MSS Nov 2006 &
Transliteration and translation for The Eloquent Peasant, following the transcription of Parinson !1""1#$ %onsistentl& included are
version ', up to ($), version *1, fro+ ,, up to ,)-, and version *2, fro+ "1$ So+eti+es other frag+ents of these three versions are
included as well if the& differ su.stantiall& fro+ the +ain version$ /lign+ent .etween these , versions and align+ent with version *1
is occasionall&, .ut not consistentl&, indicated$
The transliteration throughout follows 0annig !1"")#$
1or pu.lished translations, see 2ichthei+ !1"-)#, pp$ 16"31(45 Parinson !1""-#, pp$ )43((5 Si+pson !1"-2#, pp$ ,134"5 6onhoven
!1""2#, pp$ 2-132-2 !covers onl& the te7t up to *1 11"#$ /lso considered were the e7a+ples fro+ /llen !2000#, 8ardiner !1")-#,
8raefe !1""4# and 2oprieno !1"")#$
91$1: s pw wn(.w) 'xw.n-'jnpw #f$ "$ ()* of +llen (,---&$ rn;f 5 91$1: There was a +an
called <hunanup Transcri"tion following .arkinson (/001&$$ sxtj pw n sxt-HmAt 5 0e was a
peasant of the =adi Natrun,
91$2: jsT wn Hmt=f mrt rn=s 5 91$2: and he had a wife called Meret Transcri"tion following
.arkinson (/001&$$ Dd.jn sxtj pn n Hmt=f tn 5 This peasant said to this wife of his> mT wj m
hAt
91$,: r kmt 5 ?2oo, @ a+ going 91$,: to Eg&pt r jnt aqw jm n Xrdw=j 5 to fetch
provisions there for +& children$ Sm swt xA n=j nA n jt 5 8o and +easure for +e the .arle&

91$4: ntj m pA mXr m DAt jt n sf 5 91$4: that is in the .arn as the re+ainder of &esterda&As
.arle&$A aHa.n xA.n=f n=s 5 Then he +easured for her jt HqAt 6 5 si7 heqat of .arle&$
91$): Dd.jn sxtj pn n Hmt=f tn 5 91$): Then this peasant said to this wife of his> mT [...]
n=T jt HqAt 2 r aqw Hna Xrdw=T 5 ?2oo, B$$$C two heqat of .arle& for rations to &ou and
&our children$
91$6: jr r=T n=j swt tA jt HqAt 6 5 91$6: *ut prepare for +e the si7 heqat of .arle& m t
Hnqt n hrw n kA anx=j jm=f 5 as .read and .eer for ever& da&, so that @ shall live on it$A
The Eloquent Peasant Page 2
91$-: hAt pw jr.n sxtj pn r kmt 5 91$-: Then this peasant left for Eg&pt, ATp.n=f aAw=f 5
after he had loaded his done&s
92$1: m jAA 5 92$1: with vine 2ncertain$, 92$2: rdmt 5 92$2: purple nutsedge 2ncertain$,
92$,: Hsmn 5 92$,: natron,
92$4: HmAt 5 92$4: salt, 92$): xtw B$$$C 5 92$): stics fro+ B$$$C, 92$6: awnwt nt tA-jHw 5
92$6: pieces of wood fro+ 1arafra,
92$-: Xnwt nt Aw 5 92$-: hides of panthers, 9,$1: xAwt nt wnSw 5 9,$1: sins of golden
Dacals,
9,$2: nSAw 5 9,$2: pondweed, 9,$,: anw 5 9,$,: anw3stone, 9,$4: tnm 5 9,$4: tn+3
plants, 9,$): xpr-wr 5 9,$): wild carrot2ncertain$,
9,$6: sAhwt 5 9,$6: serpentine 2ncertain$, 9,$-: sAkswt 5 9,$-: EEE, 94$1: mjswt 5 94$1:
+Dswt3plants, 94$2: snt 5 94$2: ochre2ncertain$,
94$,: B$$$C 5 94$,: B$$$C, 94$4: jsA 5 94$4: wild +int 2ncertain$, 94$): jnj 5 94$): hedge
plants, 94$6: mnw 5 94$6: pigeons 2ncertain$,
94$-: narww 5 94$-: narw3.irds, 9)$1: w!sw 5 9)$1: gutted fish and pluced fowl, 9)$2:
wn 5 9)$2: w.n3plants, 9)$,: tsw 5 9)$,: t.sw3shru.s,
9)$4: !n!nt 5 9)$4: gngnt3.eans, 9)$): Snj-tA 5 9)$): fenugree 3ollowing 3aulkner (/0*,&4
not confir!ed by 5annig (/00)&$, 9)$6: jnst 5 9)$6: and anise 2ncertain$5
The Eloquent Peasant Page ,
96$1: mH(.w) m jnw n nfr n sxt-HmAt 5 96$1: a.ound with all good products of the =adi
Natrun$
96$2: Smt pw jr.n sxtj pn m xnt"t
96$,: r nnj-nsw 5 96$2: This peasant then went south 96$,: to 0eracleopolis, spr pw
jr.n=f r w n pr-
96$4:ffj 5 and he arrived in the district of Per31efi Transcri"tion following .arkinson (/001&$, r
mHtj mdnjt 5 to the north of Mednit$ !m.n=f s #m
96$): aHa(.w) Hr mr"t 5 0e ca+e across a +an 96$): standing on the e+.an+ent$ nmtj-
nxt rn=f 5 0is na+e was Ne+tinaht Transcri"tion following .arkinson (/001&$ sA s pw
96$6: jsr" rn=f 5 and he was the son of a +an 96$6: called @sr&Transcri"tion following
.arkinson (/001&$$ Dt pw nt jmj-rA pr wr
96$-: Fmrw sA Frnsj 5 These were liege+en of the high steward 96$-: 'ensi Transcri"tion
following .arkinson (/001&$, son of Meru Transcri"tion following .arkinson (/001&$$ Dd.jn Fnmtj-
nxt pn mAA=f
9-$1: aAw n sxtj pn 5 /nd this Ne+tinaht said, when he saw 9-$1: the done&s of this
peasant$ aA"w j=f 5 which were desira.le to his heart> Dd=f
The Eloquent Peasant Page 4
9-$2: HA n=j Ssp n awA=j Hnw n
9-$,: sxtj pn jm=f 5 9-$2: ?=ould that @ had so+e divine i+age with which @ could ro.
the goods of 9-$,: this peasantGA jsT rf pr Fnmtj-nxt pn Hr smA-tA
9-$4: n rA-wAt 5 Now, the house of this Ne+tinaht was at a waterside path Hns pw n wsx
js pw 5 that was narrow, it was not .road>
9-$): qnn=f r sxw n dAjw 5 9-$): it +easured the width of a loincloth$ jw wAt=f wat
9-$6: Xr mw 5 @ts one side 9-$6: was under water, kt Xr jt 5 the other under .arle&$ Dd.jn
Fnmtj-nxt pn n Smsw=f 5 This Ne+tinaht then said to a servant of his> js
9-$-: jn n=j jfd m pr=j 5 ?0urr&, 9-$-: and .ring +e a cape fro+ +& houseGA jn.jn.tw=f
n=f Hr-a 5 /nd it was .rought to hi+ i++ediatel&$
9($1: aHa.n sS.n=f sw Hr smA-tA n rA-wAt 5 9($1: Then he spread it out on the waterside
path, wn.#n
9($2: xnn sd=f Hr mw npnpt=f
9($,: Hr jt 5 9($2: so that its he+ ca+e to rest on the water, and its selvedge
9($,: on the .arle&$ Smt pw jr.n sxtj pn Hr wAt
The Eloquent Peasant Page )
9($4: nt rmTt nt 5 /nd this peasant ca+e on the pu.lic path$ Dd.jn Fnmtj-nxt pn 5 This
Ne+tinaht then said> jr hrw
9($): sxtj 5 ?*eware, 9($): peasant, version 6 7/ 9,,: n xnd=k Hr Hsw=j 5 9,,: &ou
will not step on +& clothesGA Dd.jn sxtj
9,4: pn 5 /nd this peasant said> jr"=j Hst=k nfr mTn=j 5 ?@ shall do what &ou wish5 +&
wa& is good$A
9,): prt pw jr.n=f r Hrw 5 9,): /nd he went up higher$ Dd.jn Fnmtj-nxt pn 5 Then this
Ne+tinaht said>
9,6: jn-jw n=k Sma=j r wAt 5 9,6: ?@s +& Hpper3Eg&ptian .arle& to .e a path for &ouEA
Dd.jn sxtj pn 5 /nd this peasant said> nfr
9,-: mTnw=j 5 ?M& wa&s 9,-: are good5 jxmt qA.tj m
9,(:Tnw Xr Sma 5 the .an is steep, and the wa&s 9,(: are under .arle& Hn=k rf wAt%t&
9,":;n m Hsw=k 5 for &ou .loc our path 9,": with &our clothesG jn nn rf Dj=k swA=n
The Eloquent Peasant Page 6
940: Hr wAt 5 =ill &ou then not allow us to pass 940: on the pathEA version 6 pH.n=f rf
Dd '(.)* mdt [...] 5 /s he had finished sa&ing ['(.)* [...] words,C version 6 7/ aHa.n
mH.n wa m nA n aA

941: rA=f m At nt Sma 5 Then one of the done&s filled 941: its +outh with a wisp of
.arle&$ Dd.jn Fnmtj-nxt pn 5 /nd this Ne+tinaht said>
942: mk wj r nHm aA=k sxtj 5 942: ?2oo, @ shall tae awa& &our done&, peasant, Hr
94,: wnm=f Sma=j 5 .ecause 94,: it ate +& .arle&$ version 6 mk Hm aA=k 9"$6: Hr
wnm jt=j 5 ?B*ut loo, &our done& 9"$6: is eating +& .arle&GC version 6 7/ mk sw r ht
Hr qn=f 5 @t will tread !grain# for its offence$A
944: Dd.jn sxtj pn 5 944: This peasant then said> nfr mTnw=j 5 ?M& wa&s are goodG wat
94): HD.tw=s 8hat .arkinson (/00/4/001& reads as /- is here taken as =s. jnn=j aA=j Hr Sna +, 5
/ single thing 94): has .een destro&ed5 @ will .u& +& done& .ac for 10 ti+es the
value jT=k sw
946: Hr mHw n rA=f m At nt Sma 5 if &ou tae it awa& 946: for filling its +outh with a
wisp of .arle&$ jw=j !rt
94-: rx.kw n n spAt tn 5 Now, @ 94-: now the lord of this district5 nj sj jmj-rA pr wr
Fmrw sA
The Eloquent Peasant Page -
94(: Frnsj 5 it .elongs to the high steward 'ensi, son of Meru$ ntf !rt xsf awA n m tA pn
r3
'4":Dr=f 5 0e is the one who restrains ever& thief in this entire land$ jn awA.tw=j rf m
spAt=f 5 Shall @ now .e ro..ed in his districtEA Dd.jn Fnmtj-nxt
9)0: pn 5 Then this Ne+tinaht 9)0: said> jn pA pw xn n mdt Ddw rmT 5 ?@s this not the
prover. that people sa&>
9)1: dm.tw rn n Hwrw Hr n=f 5 9)1: ??Ine +entions the na+e of a co++oner onl& on
account of his lord$AAE jnk
9)2: pw mdw n=k jmj-rA pr wr pw sxA"=k 5 @ 9)2: a+ the one who is speaing to &ou,
and it is the high steward who+ &ou are referring to$A
9),: aHa.n TA.n=f n=f jAA"t nt jsr wAD
9)4: r=f 5 9),: Then, he too a rod of fresh ta+aris 9)4: to hi+, aHa.n aA!=f at=f n
jm=s 5 and he thrashed all his li+.s with it, nHm aAw=f
9)): saq r spAt=f 5 too his done&s awa& 9)): and drove the+ to his district$ wn.jn sxtj
pn Hr
9)6: rm"t aAw wrt 5 Then this peasant proceeded to 9)6: wail ver& loudl& n-mr-n jrr"t
r=f 5 on account of the wicedness of what was done to hi+$
The Eloquent Peasant Page (
9)-: Dd.jn The 9/ at this "osition in .arkinson !/00/& is an erratu!, confir!ed by "$c$ with the author
on Se" : ,---$ Fnmtj-nxt pn 5 9)-: *ut this Ne+tinaht then said> m qA xrw=k sxtj 5 ?Jo
not raise &our voice, peasant,
9)(: mk Tw r dmj n n s!r 5 9)(: or &ou will go to the a.ode of the 2ord of Silence$A
Dd.jn sxtj pn
9)": Hw=k wj awA=k Hnw=j 5 Then this peasant said> 9)": ?Kou .eat +e, &ou steal +&
goods, nHm=k rf
960: nxwt m rA=j 5 and &ou even deprive +e of 960: the la+ent fro+ +& +outhG n s!r
Dj=k rk n=j
961: jxt=j 5 2ord of Silence, +a& &ou give +e .ac 961: +& things, jx tm=j sH nr=k 5
so that @ need not screa+ to startle &ou$A version 6 912$,: nrw=k 5 912$,: to Kour
1earso+eness$A version 6 7/
962* jr.jn sxtj pn aHaw %+,& r hrw +, 5 962: Then this peasant spent a period of 10 da&s
Hr spr n
96,: Fnmtj-nxt pn 5 pleading with 96,: this Ne+tinaht, n rDj=f mAa=f r=s 5 .ut he did
not pa& attention to it$ Smt pw
964: jr.n sxtj pn 5 This peasant then went version 6 912$): BSmt pw] jr.n sxtj pn m xnt"t
r Fnnj-nsw 912$6: 5 912$): This peasant then went south to 0eracleopolis 912$6:
version ; *1 r Fnnj-nsw r spr n 5 to 0eracleopolis in order to plead with jmj-rA pr wr
The Eloquent Peasant Page "
96): Fmrw sA Frnsj 5 the high steward 96): 'ensi, son of Meru$ !m.n=f sw Hr prt m sA
966: n pr=f 5 0e found hi+ e+erging fro+ the door 966: of his house, r hAt r qAqAw=f n
arr
96-:"t 5 to step into his official .oat$ Dd.jn sxtj pn 5 /nd this peasant said> HA rDj.tw swDA
96(:;j j=k 5 ?Ma& @ .e allowed to infor+ &ou Hr pA xn n mdt 5 a.out this grievance$ sp
pw
96": rDj.tw jwt n=j Smsw=k n xrt-j=k 5 Perhaps 96": one +a& have a servant of &our
choice co+e to +e, hA=j
9-0: n=k sw Hr=s 5 so that @ +a& have hi+ report to &ou a.out it$A rDj$jn jmj-rA pr wr
Fmrw sA Frnsj 5 /nd the high steward 'ensi, son of Meru, had
9-1: Sm Smsw=f n xrt-j=f tp-jm=f 5 9-1: a servant of his choice go to hi+, hA
9-2: sw sxtj pn 5 and this peasant had hi+ report .ac Hr mdt tn mj qj
9-,*=s n 5 a.out this entire +atter$ wn.jn jmj-rA pr wr Fmrw sA Frnsj Hr srxt 5 Then the
high steward 'ensi, son of Meru, accused
The Eloquent Peasant Page 10
9-4: Fnmtj-nxt pn n srw ntj r-!s=f 5 9-4: this Ne+tinaht to the officials who were with
hi+$ Dd.jn=sn
9-): n=f 5 *ut then the& said 9-): to hi+> smwn sxtj=f pw jw n k" r-!s=f 5 ?Perhaps it is
a peasant of his who went to so+eone else .eside hi+$
9-6: mk jrrt=sn pw r sxtjw=sn 5 9-6: 2oo, that is what the& do to peasants of theirs
jww n
9--: kt-xt r-!s=sn 5 who have gone to 9--: others .eside the+$ mk jrrt=sn pw 5 That is
what the& do$ sp pw n
9-(: xsf.tw n Fnmtj-nxt pn 5 @s this a cause for 9-(: punishing this Ne+tinaht, Hr nh n
Hsmn
9-": Hna nh n HmAt 5 on account of a little natron 9-": and a little saltE wD.tw n=f DA
9(0: st DA=f st 5 @f he is ordered to replace 9(0: it, then he will replace it$A !r pw jr.n
9(1: jmj-rA pr wr Fmrw sA Frnsj 5 *ut the high steward 'ensi, son of Meru, re+ained
silent$ n wS=f
9(2: n nn n srw 5 0e did not answer 9(2: these officials, nn wS=f n sxtj pn 5 nor did he
answer this peasant$
The Eloquent Peasant Page 11
9(,: jw.jn rf sxtj pn 5 9(,: Then this peasant ca+e r spr n jmj-rA pr wr Fmrw sA
9(4: Frnsj 5 to plead with the high steward 'ensi, son of Meru$ version 6 914$1: jw.jn rf
sxtj pn r spr n=f sp tpj 5 914$1: Then this peasant ca+e to plead with hi+ for the first
ti+e$ version 6 7/ Dd=f jmj-rA pr wr n=j wr n wrw 5 0e said> ?0igh steward, +& lord,
greatest of the great, version 6 914$2: jmj-rA pr wr n=j wr n wrw 5 914$2: ?0igh
steward, +& lord, great one, lord of the great, version 6 7/
9(): sSmw n jwtt ntt 5 9(): leader of all that is not and all that is, jr hA=k r S n
9(6: mAat 5 if &ou go down to the 2ae of 9(6: Truth, sqd=k jm=f m mAaw 5 &ou will sail
on it with a fair wind,
9(-: nn kf nd"t HtA=k 5 9(-: the .unt will not strip awa& &our sail, nn jh
9((:m dpwt=k 5 &our ship will not lag, nn jwt j"t m xt=k 5 no disaster will .efall &our
rudder stoc$ nn
9(": swA s!r!w=k 5 &our &ards will not .rea, nn sxm=k HAaa=k Hr tA 5 &ou will not
founder when &ou land,
9"0: nn jT Tw nwt 5 9"0: no wave will carr& &ou off, nn dp=k Dwt
The Eloquent Peasant Page 12
9"1: nt jtrw 5 &ou will not taste the evil 9"1: of the river, nn mA=k Hr snD 5 &ou will not
see the face of fear, jw n=k
9"2: rmw Sna"w 5 .ut sh& fish will co+e to &ou pH=k m Apd
9",: DdA 5 and &ou will catch fatted fowl$ Hr ntt ntk jt n nmH 5 1or &ou are a father to the
orphan,
9"4: hAj n xArt 5 9"4: a hus.and to the widow, sn n wDat 5 a .rother to the divorced SnD"t
9"): nt jwtw mwt=f 5 and an apron 9"): to the +otherless$ jm jr"=j rn=k m
9"6: tA pn r hp n nfr 5 2et +e +ae &our na+e in 9"6: this land according to ever&
good rule> sSmw Sw
9"-: m awn-j 5 leader free 9"-: of greed, wr Sw m nD"t 5 great one free of arrogance,
9"(: sHtm !r! sxpr mAat 5 9"(: destro&er of falsehood, creator of truth, jj Hr
9"": xrw DD-rA 5 one who co+es at 9"": the voice of the caller$ version 6 Bjm w-Dw r
916$,: tA 5 %ast evil on 916$,: the groundGC version 6 7/ Dd=j sDm=k 5 @ spea so that &ou
will hear$ jr mAat 5 Jo Dustice, Hs-
The Eloquent Peasant Page 1,
9100:3" Hss Hs"w 5 praised one who+ the praised praiseG dr sA
9101:Br] 5 'elieve the distress, version 6 916$): dr sAr=j 5 916$): 'elieve +& distress,
version 6 7/ mk wj ATp.kw 5 for @ a+ .urdenedG version 6 916$6: ATp.kw [m] janw 5 916$6:
laden with sorrow mk wj 916$-: fn.kw Hr=f 5 and 916$-: faint fro+ itG version 6 7/ jp
9102: wj mk wj m nhw 5 E7a+ine 9102: +e, @ a+ at a lossGA version 6 916$(* m Ahw 5
916$(: in distressGA version 6 7/ jsT rf
'10,: Dd.n sxtj pn mdt tn 5 Now, 910,: this peasant said these words m rk Hm n nsw-jtj
9104: Fn-kAw3Fra mAa-xrw 5 in the ti+e of the +aDest& of the ing of Hpper and 2ower
Eg&pt 9104: Ne.aure, Dustified$ Smt pw jr.n jmj-rA pr wr
910): Fmrw sA Frnsj 5 The high steward 'ensi, son of Meru, then went tp-m Hm=f Dd=f 5
.efore 0is MaDest& and said> n=j jw
9106: !m.n=j wa m nn n sxtj nfr mdw n
910-: wn-mAa 5 ?M& lord, 9106: @ have found one of these peasants who is trul&
eloquent$ awA Hnw=f 5 0is goods have .een stolen version 6 91-$): jn s ntj r aqA=j 5
91-$): .& a +an who is +& peer, version 6 7/ mk
The Eloquent Peasant Page 14
910(: sw jw.w r spr n=j Hr=s 5 and 910(: he has co+e to plead with +e a.out it$A
910": Dd.jn Hm=f 5 910": /nd 0is MaDest& said> m mrr=k mA=j sn.kw 5 /s &ou wish to
see +e in health, swdf=k sw
9110: aA 5 &ou will dela& hi+ 9110: here nn wS r Ddt=f nt 5 without answering
an&thing he sa&s$ jn-mrwt wn=f
9111: Hr Dd !r 5 So that he eeps 9111: speaing, re+ain silent. jx jn.tw n=n m sS
sDm=n st 5 Then it will .e .rought to us in writing so that we +a& hear it$ version 6 n3
mrwt jn.tw n=n mdw=f m sS 5 so that his speech will .e .rought to us in writing$ version 6
7/
9112: jr swt anx Hmt=f Hna Xrdw=f 5 9112: *ut provide sustenance for his wife and
children$ version 6 jr swt anx Hmt sxtj pn 5 *ut provide sustenance for the wife of this
peasant version 6 7/ mk jw wa m nA
911,: n sxtj r Swt pr=f r tA 5 That one of these peasants co+es to Eg&pt is .ecause his
house is e+pt&$ jr !rt anx sxtj pn
9114: m-Haw=f 5 1urther+ore, provide sustenance for this peasant 9114: hi+self$ version
6 91($4: B$$$C BHna swt jrt an91($):x sxtj pn Hr Haw=f 5 91($4: B$$$C 1urther+ore,
provide sustenance for this peasant hi+self$ version 6 7/] wnn=k Hr rDjt Dj.tw n=f aqw 5
Kou will let the provisions .e given to hi+ nn rDjt rx=f 5 without letting hi+ now version
6 nn rx=f 5 without hi+ nowing version 6 7/
The Eloquent Peasant Page 1)
911): ntt ntk rDj n=f st 5 911): that it is &ou who gave the+ to hi+$A version 6 DD.tw n
xnmsw[=f] 91($-: jn xnmsw=f DD n=f st 5 The& were given to friends of his, 91($-: and
his friends gave the+ to hi+$ version 6 7/ wn.jn.tw Hr rDjt n=f t +, Hnqt ds 2
9116: ra n 5 /nd he was given ten loaves of .read and two Dars of .eer 9116: ever&
da&$ DD st jmj-rA pr wr Fmrw sA Frnsj 5 The high steward 'ensi, son of Meru, gave the+,
DD=f st n xnms=f ntf
911-: DD n=f st 5 .ut he gave the+ to a friend of his, and it was he 911-: who gave the+
to hi+$ aHa.n hA.n jmj-rA pr wr Fmrw sA Frnsj 5 Then the high steward 'ensi, son of
Meru, sent a +essage n HqA-Hwt n
911(: Fsxt-HmAt 5 to the +a&or of 911(: the =adi Natrun Hr jrt aqw n Hmt sxtj pn 5 a.out
+aing provisions for the wife of this peasant, m jt HqAt - ra n 5 consisting of three
gallons of .arle& ever& da&$ version 6 91"$4: wn.jn jmj-rA pr wr Fmrw sA Frnsj Hr rDDt
91"$)* aqw 5 91"$4: Then the high steward 'ensi, son of Meru, gave 91"$): provisions
n sxtj pn m Hnqt [ds] [...] 91"$6: t ., 5 to this peasant, consisting of B$$$C BDarsC of .eer
91"$6: and fift& loaves of .read$ DD=f st n xnmsw=f 5 0e gave the+ to friends of his,
91"$-* jn xnmsw=f DD n=f st 5 91"$-: and his friends gave the+ to hi+$ version 6 7/
911": jw.jn rf sxtj pn r spr n=f sp 2 5 911": Then this peasant ca+e to plead with hi+
for a second ti+e, version 6 !m.n=f sw 920$2: m prt m [...] 5 and found hi+ 920$2:
e+erging fro+ B$$$C version 6 7/ Dd=f jmj-rA pr wr n=j wr n wrw 5 and said> ?0igh
steward, +& lord, greatest of the great,
9120: xwd n xwdw 5 9120: richest of the rich, ntj wn wr n wrw=f 5 whose great ones
have one greater, xwd
The Eloquent Peasant Page 16
9121: n xwdw=f 5 whose rich ones have one richer, Hmw n pt
9122: sAw n tA 5 rudder of heaven, 9122: .ea+ of earth, xA" fA wdnw 5 plu+.3line that
carries the weightG Hmw m sn 5 'udder, do not deviateG
912,: sAw m !sA 5 912,: *ea+, do not tiltG xA" m jr nwdw 5 Plu+.3line, do not swing
awr&G n wr
9124: Hr jTt m jwtt n=s 5 / great lord 9124: taes what is without owner Hr HaDA Hr wa 5
and ro.s onl& that$ Xrt=k m pr=k 5 Kour possessions are in &our house$
912): Hnqt hnw Hna t - 5 912): 0alf a litre of .eer and three loaves of .read, ptr pnqt=k
m ssAt twA-
9126:3w=k 5 what is it &ou e7pend to satisf& &our dependantsE jn mwt mwt Hna Xrw=f 5 /
+ortal +an dies along with his underlings, jn-jw=k r s n nHH 5 or will &ou .e a +an of
eternit&E n jw
912-: js pw 5 @s it not wrong, jwsw !sAw tx nnm 5 a .alance that is crooed, the pointer of
a .alance that errs, mtj
912(: mAa xpr m tnX 5 a trul& correct +an who stra&sE mk mAat wtx=s Xr=k 5 2oo,
Dustice is fleeing fro+ &ou, nS.tj m
The Eloquent Peasant Page 1-
912": st=s 5 e7pelled fro+ 912": its place. srw Hr jrt j"t 5 Ifficials are doing evil, tp-Hs
n mdt Hr rDjt Hr !s 5 the nor+ of speech is .iased
91,0: sDm"w Hr xnp jTt=f 5 91,0: and Dudges are carr&ing off what it seiLes$ sjATj pw n
mdt m aqA=s 5 This +eans that he who twists speech fro+ its correct sense Hr
91,1: jrt rf nwdw jm=s 5 is 91,1: acting corruptl& there.&$ rDj TAw Hr !At Hr tA 5 0e who
should give .reath is suffocating on the ground, srfw
91,2: Hr rDjt nSp.tw 5 he who should rest 91,2: is +aing people pant, psSw m awnw 5
the ar.itrator is a cheat, dr sAr
91,,*%r& m wD jrt=f 5 he who should relieve distress is ordering its creation, dmj m
wDnw=f 5 the har.our is flooded, xsf jw Hr
91,4: jrt j"t 5 he who should punish inDustice is 91,4: doing evil$A Dd.jn jmj-rA pr wr
Fmrw sA Frnsj 5 Then the high steward 'ensi, son of Meru, said> jn aAt pw n=k
91,): jm" Hrj-j=k 5 ?@s what is on &our +ind of greater concern to &ou r jT Tw Smsw=j 5
than that +& servant +ight seiLe &ouEA Dd.jn sxtj pn 5 *ut this peasant said> xAw n
91,6: aHaw Hr sjAT n=f 5 ?0e who +easures 91,6: heaps !of corn# is pilfering for
hi+self5 mH n k" Hr hqs hAw=f 5 he who fills for another is withholding fro+ his a+ount5
sSm r
The Eloquent Peasant Page 1(
91,-: hpw Hr wD awAt 5 he who should govern according to 91,-: the laws is ordering
theft$ nm jrf xsf=f w-Hwrw 5 =ho then will repel evilE dr
91,(: nw Hr jrt nwdw 5 0e who should dispel 91,(: weaness is acting corruptl&5 aqA k"
Hr xA 5 he who should correct another is .eing crooed5
91,": wfA k" jr j"t 5 91,": he who should reproach another is an evildoer$ tr !m=k rk
n=k 5 Jo &ou find an&thing for &ourselfE Hwa xsf Aw
9140: j"t 5 'edress is short .ut evil is long$ jw j r st=f nt sf 5 / good deed returns to its
place of &esterda&$ wD rf pw 5 This is the precept> jr n jrr
9141: r rDjt jr=f 5 act for hi+ who acts, 9141: to +ae hi+ act5 dwA-nTr n=f pw Hr jrrt=f
5 it is thaning hi+ for what he does5 njt jxt pw tp-a
9142: st 5 it is parr&ing a thing .efore 9142: shooting5 wD jxt pw n n Hnt 5 it is
co++issioning so+ething fro+ a crafts+an$ HA A At sHtm
914,:=s 5 =ould that a +o+ent would destro&, pna m rwj=k 5 havoc in &our vine&ard,
anD m Apdw=k 5 deci+ation of &our .irds, xA
9144: m qHw=k 5 destruction 9144: a+ong &our water3fowlG pr mAw Sp jrwt 5 0e who
should see has turned .lind, sDmw sXw 5 one who should hear, deaf,
The Eloquent Peasant Page 1"
914): sSmw xpr(.w) m stnmw 5 914): and one who should lead has gone astra&$
9146: anrw jn tr sn.n=k 5 9146: 7asket 2ncertain, but not altogether i!"lausible if
!eant figuratively as so!eone accu+ulating wealth5 cf$ *1 164$G 0ave &ou !not# gone
too farE jrr=k r=k jrf r3
914-:m 5 =h& do &ou act against &ourselfE mk Tw nxt(.tj) wsr.tj a=k pr(.w) 5 2oo, &ou
are strong and powerful, &our ar+ is strenuous,
914(: j=k awn(.w) 5 914(: .ut &our heart is greed& sf swA(.w) Hr=k 5 and +erc& has left
&ou$ nx.wj
914": mAr sk"=k 5 0ow la+enta.le 914": is the poor +an &ou ruinG twt=k n
91)0: wpwtj n Fxntj 5 Kou are lie 91)0: the +essenger of <hent&$ mk Tw swA.tj Hr
91)1: nt jAdw 5 2oo, &ou surpass 91)1: the 2ad& of Pestilence5 nn n=k nn n=s 5 if
so+ething is not for &ou, it is not for her5 nn (r)=s nn r=k 5 if so+ething is not against
her, it is not against &ou5
91)2: n jrr=k st n jrr=s st 5 91)2: if &ou wonAt do it, she wonAt do it$ sf n t 5 =ho
possesses .read should .e +erciful nxt n
91),: xnr 5 whereas .rutalit& is for 91),: the cri+inal$ twt TAwt n jwtw jxt=f 5 Theft suits
those without .elongings,
The Eloquent Peasant Page 20
91)4: xnp jxt jn xnr 5 91)4: things are ro..ed .& a cri+inal$ sp jn jwtj Swjw 5 *ut an
evil act of so+eone without need,
91)): nn rf Ts.tw jm=f 5 91)): is he not to .e re.uedE HH n=f pw 5 @t is self3seeing$
jw=k swt sA.tj
91)6* m t=k 5 *ut &ou are sated 91)6: with &our .read tx.tj m Hnqt=k 5 and drun with
&our .eer, jw=k xwd.tj m sSrw
91)-: nw 5 and &ou are rich in ever& respect$ jw Hr n Hm" r-HAt 5 =hile the face of the
hel+s+an is forward, sn dpt r
91)(: mrr=s 5 the ship deviates as 91)(: it pleases$ jw nsw m xntj 5 =hile the ing is in
the stateroo+ jw Hmw m a=k 5 and the hel+ is in &our hand,
91)": rDj.tw j"t m hAw=k 5 91)": evil is placed near &ou$ Aw sprw=j wdn
9160: fdq 5 M& plea is long, and the division is difficult$ jSst pw ntj jm 5 ??=hatAs with
hi+ thereEAA kA.tw 5 people sa&$ jr jw
9161: sn mr"t=k 5 %reate shelter 9161: so that &our shore will .e safe, mk dmj=k Sn.w
5 for loo, &our har.our is surrounded .& crocodilesG
9162: aqA ns=k 5 9162: Ma& &our tongue .e truthful jm=k tnmw 5 so that &ou wonAt go
astra&G tAmw
The Eloquent Peasant Page 21
916,: pw n s at jm=f 5 That organ in a +an is his caner3wor+$ m Dd !r! 5 JonAt spea
falsehoodG sAw srw 5 *eware of officialsG
9164: mnDm pw aD"w sDm"w 5 9164: The Dudges are a fattened .aset Meant
figuratively; rich fro! bribes$5 smw=sn
916): pw Dd !r! 5 speaing falsehood is their her.age, wn=f js.w Hr j=sn 5 it lies light
on their hearts$ rx-jxt
9166: n rmTt nT 5 I wisest 9166: of all +anind, jn xm=k m hAw=j 5 are &ou unaware
of +& caseE
916-: dr sAr n mw n 5 916-: 'elieve all distress on the waterG mk wj Xr
916(: mTnw jw 5 2oo, @ a+ under 916(: wa& without a ship$ mnj mH n 5 'escue all
who are drowning, version 6 926$4: mk wj ATp.kw m 926$): janw 5 926$4: 2oo, @ a+
laden with 926$): sorrow$ mk wj m a=k 5 2oo, @ a+ in &our hands, jp=k wj 5 so &ou
should tae account of +eG mk wj m Ahw 5 2oo, @ a+ in distress$ version 6 7/
916": Sd !Aw 5 916": save the shipwreced, Xdr=k wj m hAw
91-0: jrj Dr=k 5 rescue +e in the do+ain 91-0: that is within &our reachGA version ; '
Sd wj 926$(: m hAw Dr[...]=k 5 save +e 926$(: in the do+ain within &our reachGA version
6 7/ jw.jn rf sxtj pn r spr n=f -nw sp 5 /nd this peasant ca+e to plead with hi+ for a
third ti+e$ Dd=f
The Eloquent Peasant Page 22
91-1: jmj-rA pr wr n=j 5 0e said> 91-1: ?0igh steward, +& lord, ntk Fra n pt Hna Snw
91-2:t=k 5 &ou are 'e, lord of heaven, with &our courtiers. jw Xrt w-n jm=k mj
91-,: nw" 5 Ever&one has a need for &ou, lie 91-,: water$ ntk FHapj swAD SAw 5 Kou are
0ap&, who +aes the +eadows green !r!
91-4: jAwt xAwt 5 and restores 91-4: +ounds that have .een ravaged$ xsf awA 5 Punish
theft
91-): nD Hr mAr 5 91-): and protect the poorG m xpr m w
91-6:Dnw r sprw 5 JonAt .eco+e a flood against the suppliantG sAw tkn n nHH 5 *eware of
the approach of eternit&$
91--: mr wAH mj Dd 5 91--: Jesire to last, as is said> TAw pw n fnD jrt mAat 5 ??Joing
Dustice is .reath for the nose$AA
91-(: jr xsft r xsfw n=f 5 91-(: @nflict punish+ent on hi+ who ought to .e punished, nn
sn.tw r tp3Hs=k
91-":5 and none will surpass 91-": &our rectitude$ jn-jw jwsw nnm=f 5 Joes the
?handA3.alance5andwaage$ errE jn-jw
The Eloquent Peasant Page 2,
91(0: mxAt Hr rDjt Hr !s 5 @s 91(0: the ?standA3.alanceStandwaage$ biased< jn3jw rf
FDHwtj
91(1: sfn=f 5 @s Thoth 91(1: lenient/ jx %r&To be e!ended to =/, (.arkinson /00/&$
jr=k j"t 5 Then +a& &ou do evil 0 rDj=k Tw snnw n
91(2: - pn 5 Kou should set &ourself equal to 91(2: these three5 jr sfn - xr=k sfn=k 5 if
the three are lenient, then &ou +ust .e lenient$ m
91(,: wS nfrt m jnt 5 Jo not 91(,: answer good with .ad$ m rDj kt m st kt 5 Jo not put
one thing in place of another$
91(4* rwD or rd, grow$ mdt r snm"t 5 91(4: The spoen word is +ore persistent than
weed !>it$ sn!yt-"lants$#, r d
91():mj n xnm m wS=s 5 to 91(): reach the s+eller with its retort$ ntf j"t
91(6* r rDjt rd Hsw 5 The one who waters +ischief 91(6: to +ae deception2ncertain$
grow, spw -
91(-: pw r rDjt jr=f 5 this is three ti+es 91(-: to induce hi+ to actG@$e$ this is alread&
the third ti+e that @ induce hi+ to actG jr rk Hmw r nd"t 5 Steer according to the sail$
91((: Sd wDnw r jrt mAat 5 91((: =ithdraw the flood, so as to do Dustice$ sAw
The Eloquent Peasant Page 24
91(": HA=k rk Hr nfr"t 5 *e careful that 91(": &ou do not run aground, while at the tiller$
aqA"t nt tA
91"0: jrt mAat %w& 5 To straighten out the land 91"0: is to do Dustice$ m Dd !r! jw=k
wr.tj 5 Jo not spea falsehood, for &ou are +ight&$ m js
91"1: jw=k dns.tj 5 Jo not .e light3hearted, 91"1: for &ou are weight&$ m Dd !r! ntk
jwsw 5 Jo not spea falsehood, for &ou are the .alance$
91"2: m tnXw ntk tp 5 91"2: Jo not .e careless, for &ou are the e&$ mk Tw m tp wa
91",: Hna jwsw 5 Kou are Dust 91",: lie the .alance> jr !sA=f xr=k
91"4* !%w&sA=k 5 if it is crooed, then &ou +ust 91"4: .e crooed$ m sn jr rk Hmw Sd
91"): Hr nfr"t 5 Jo not deviate, .ut operate the rudder, pull 91"): on the tiller rope$ m jT
jr rk r jTw 5 Jo not ro., .ut act against the ro..er$
91"6: n wr js pw wr jm awn-j 5 91"6: / great one who is greed& is not !reall&# great$ tx
pw
91"-: ns=k 5 Kour tongue is the pointer !of the .alance#, dn pw j=k rmnw=f pw sptj
The Eloquent Peasant Page 2)
91"(*=kj 5 &our heart is the weight, and &our lips are its ar+s. jr Hs=k Hr=k r nxt-Hr 5
*ut if &ou shut &our e&es to the i+pudent,
91"": nm jrf xsf=f w-Hwrw 5 91"": then who will repel evilE mk Tw m
9200* Hwrw n rxtj 5 2oo, &ou are 9200: a dishonoura.le washer+an awn-j Hr HDt
9201* xnms 5 who is een on destro&ing 9201: friendship, tA n mHnk=f n twA
9202:=f 5 one who wrongs his confidant for his client5 sn=f pw j" jn n=f 5 an&one who
co+es and supplies to hi+ is his .rother$ mk Tw m
920,:Xntj DA n hmt 5 2oo, &ou are a ferr&+an 920,: who ferries across an&one who
has the fare, aqA"
9204: aqA=f fdq.w 5 a righteous +an 9204: whose righteousness has cru+.led$ mk Tw m
Hrj Snaw 5 2oo, &ou are the chief of a worhouse
920): n rDj.n=f swA Sw Hr-a 5 920): who wonAt let an une+plo&ed person through at
once$ mk Tw
9206: TnHr n rx"t 5 2oo, &ou are 9206: a haw to the people, anx m Hwrww nw
The Eloquent Peasant Page 26
920-: Apdw 5 one who lives on defenceless 920-: .irds$ mk Tw wdpw rS=f pw rxs 5
2oo, &ou are a coo whose Do& is to slaughter,
920(: nn jATjw jrj r;f 5 920(: and who is not touched .& the grueso+eness thereof$ mk
Tw m mnjw 5 2oo, &ou are a herds+an5 n Dw=s js
920"* r=j 5 is it not .ad for +e then n jp.n=k 5 that &ou cannot .e prudentE jx jr=k nhw
m msH
9210: skn 5 Ma& &ou .eco+e less lie a ravenous crocodile, jw tS(.w) r dmj n tA r-Dr=f 5
for shelter has vanished fro+ the har.our of the entire land$
9211: sDmw n A sDm.n=k 5 9211: 0earer, &ou do not reall& hear$ tm=k tr sDm Hr-m 5 *ut
wh& do &ou not hearE jw mjn
9212: A xsf.n=j Adw 5 Now 9212: @ have spoen out against the aggressor, jw msH xt=f 5
and the crocodile retreats$ ptr rf
921,: km jrj n=k 5 *ut what is 921,: the gain thereof to &ouE !m.tw jmnw mAat 5 The
secret of the truth will .e found, rDj.tw sA
9214: !r! r tA 5 and falsehood will .e cast on the ground$ m !r! dwA n jjt=f 5 Jo not
+ae provision for the following da& .efore it has co+e, n
The Eloquent Peasant Page 2-
921): rx.n.tw j"t jm=f 5 since one cannot now what is going to happen in it$A jsT rf Dd.n
sxtj pn mdt
9216: tn 5 =hen this peasant had said these words, jmj-rA pr wr Fmrw sA Frnsj 5 the high
steward 'ensi, son of Meru, r p!A n arr"t 5 went to the entrance of the portal,
921-: aHa.n rDj.n=f aHa jmj-sA 2 r=f Xr smjw 5 921-: and +ade two guards turn against
hi+ with whips, aHa.n aA
921(:!=sn at=f nt jm 5 and the& thrashed all his li+.s therewith$ Dd.jn sxtj pn 5 Then
this peasant said> sA Fmrw
921": tnm.xr=f 5 ?So the son of Meru 921": +ust go astra&, Hr=f Sp(.w) r mAAt=f 5 since
his face is .lind to what he sees sX(.w) r sDmt=f 5 and deaf to what he hears,
9220: th(.w) j Hr sxA"t n=f 5 9220: and is stra&ing fro+ what it is re+inded of$ mk Tw m
njwt
9221: nn HqA-Hwt=s 5 2oo, &ou are a town 9221: without a +a&or, mj Xt nn wr=s 5 lie
a +eeting without a chair+an, mj dpt
9222: nn sxr" jm=s 5 lie a ship 9222: without a captain, smA"t nn sSmw
The Eloquent Peasant Page 2(
922,*=s 5 lie a gang without a leader$ mk Tw m SnT jTA 5 2oo, &ou are a police+an who
steals, HqA-Hwt Sspw 5 a +aDor who accepts !.ri.es#,
9224: jmj-rA w xsf HaDA 5 9224: a district overseer who should restrain ro..er& xpr m
jmj-HAt n jrr 5 .ut who has .eco+e a pattern for the cri+inal$A
922): jw.jn rf sxtj pn r spr n=f )nw sp 5 922): /nd this peasant ca+e to plead with hi+
for a fourth ti+e, !m.n sw Hr
9226: prt m sA n Hwt-nTr nt FHrj-S=f 5 and found hi+ 9226: e+erging fro+ the gate of
the te+ple of /rsaphes$
922-: Dd=f Hsw 5 922-: 0e said> ?Praised one, Hs Tw 1Hrj-S=f jj.n=k
922(: m pr=f 5 +a& /rsaphes, fro+ whose te+ple &ou have co+e, praise &ouG HD w-nfr
nn at=f 5 8oodness has .een har+ed5 there is no accu+ulation of it, 3or at see ja. ptx
sA n
922": !r! r tA 5 nor is there casting of 922": falsehood on the ground$ jn-jw tA mXnt saq.tj
5 0as the ferr& sunE S(s/)
92,0:DA.tw jrf m 5 =ho can .e ferried across sxpr sp m msDD 5 when the one who should
.ring a.out the deed is unwillingE DAt
92,1: jtrw m sA Ttj 5 %rossing 92,1: the river on foot> DAt nfr nn 5 a good crossing, or
notE
The Eloquent Peasant Page 2"
92,2: nm tr sDr r sSp 5 92,2: Now, who can sleep till dawnE HD Smt m
92,,: !rH sj m hrw 5 1or o.structed are going .& 92,,: night, travelling .& da&, rDjt
aHa s r
92,4: sp=f nfr n wn mAat 5 and letting a +an attend 92,4: his trul& good cause$ mk nn
km n Dd
92,): n=k st 5 2oo, it is no use to tell 92,): &ou this, sf swA(.w) Hr=k 5 for +erc& has
left &ou$ nx.wj mAr
92,6: sk"=k 5 0ow la+enta.le is the poor +an 92,6: &ou ruinG mk Tw mHw
92,-: ja j=f 5 2oo, &ou are a hunter 92,-: who slaes his desire, wdd r jrt mrt=f 5
.ent on doing what he wants, xAa dw
92,(: st smAw 5 who harpoons hippopota+i, 92,(: shoots wild .ulls, pH rmw sxt
92,": Apdw 5 catches fish and snares 92,": .irds$ nn xAx rA Sw m warw 5 Ket there is
none hast& of speech who is free of spluttering,
9240: nn js-j dns sxr Xt 5 9240: and none light of heart who is weight& of thought$ wAH
The Eloquent Peasant Page ,0
9241: j=k rx=k mAat 5 *e tender3hearted, so that &ou will learn DusticeG dAr stpt=k r
9242: nfr ss !rw 5 Suppress &our choice for 9242: the good of hi+ who enters hu+.l&.
nn sXmw
924,: mDd w-jqr 5 1or there is no .rute 924,: who attains e7cellence, nn wn xAx j
9244: jn.tw 5 and there is no i+patient +an 9244: who+ one turns to$ s!mH jrtj swDA.tw
j 5 2et the e&es see so that the heart .e infor+ed$ m kAh
924):sw xft wsr=k 5 JonAt .e haught& in proportion to &our +ight, tm spr w-Dw r=k 5
so that evil doesnAt reach &ou$
9246: swA Hr sp jw=f r snw 5 9246: Tolerate one +isdeed, and it will .eco+e two$ jn
wnm dp
924-: jw wSdw wS=f 5 @t is the eater who tastes, 924-: so one who is questioned
replies5 jn sDrw mAA
924(: rswt 5 it is the sleeper who drea+s$ jr wDa-rwt m
924": xsfw n=f 5 /s for a Dudge 924": who ought to .e punished, jw=f m jmj-HAt n jrr 5
he is a pattern for the cri+inal$ wxA
The Eloquent Peasant Page ,1
92)0: mk Tw pH.tj 5 1ool, 92)0: loo, &ou are found outG xm-jxt mk Tw
92)1: wSd.tj 5 @gnora+us, loo, &ou 92)1: are questionedG pnq" mw mk Tw aq.tj 5 *ailer
of waterMeant figuratively; so!eone urinating$, loo, &ou are noticedG
92)2: Hm" m sn dpwt=k 5 92)2: 0el+s+an, donAt let &our ship go off courseG sanxw
92),: m rDj mwt.tw 5 8iver of life, 92),: donAt let people dieG sHtmw m rDj
92)4: Htm.tw 5 Jestro&er, donAt let 92)4: people perishG Sw"t m jr m Sw 5 Shade, donAt .e
as the .laLing sunG jw
92)): m rDj jT msH 5 Shelter, 92)): donAt let the crocodile snatchG )nw sp A m spr n=k 5
The fourth ti+e alread& of pleading with &ou5
92)6: jn rf wrS=j r=f 5 92)6: shall @ spend all da& at itEA jw.jn rf sxtj pn r
92)-: spr n=f .nw sp 5 /nd this peasant ca+e to 92)-: plead with hi+ for a fifth ti+e$
Dd=f jmj-rA pr wr n=j 5 0e said> ?0igh steward, +& lord, jw
92)(: xwDw Hr [...] [mH"t 1ollowing the suggestion .& Parinson !1""1#$C 5 the netter is
B$$$C BfishC, n
The Eloquent Peasant Page ,2
92)":"w2ncertain$ Hr smA j" 5 the n&w3fisher+an2ncertain$ is illing D&3fish, st rm
9260:w Hr xAx aww 5 the fish3spearer is harpooning aw..w3fish, DAHw
9261: r pAqrw 5 the J/.0w3fisher+an 9261: is after p/qr3fish$ jw wHa xA=f jtr
9262:w 5 The fisher+an ravages the river$ mk Tw m mnt-jrj 5 2oo, &ou are the sa+e$ m
awn Hwrw
926,: Hr jxt=f 5 Jo not defraud a poor +an 926,: of his propert&, fn rx.n=k sw 5 a slight
+an who+ &ou now$ TAw pw n
9264: mAr jxt=f 5 The .elongings of a pauper are his .reath, d fnD=f pw nHm
926): st 5 to tae the+ awa& is to stop up his nose$ rDj.n.tw=k r sDm mdt 5 Kou were
appointed to hear cases, r wDa snwj 5 to Dudge .etween litigants, r
9266: xsf awA-jrr=f 5 and to 9266: punish the ro..er$ mk fA pw n jTA
926-: jrr"=k 5 *ut loo, what &ou are doing is supporting the thief$ jw mH.tw j jm=k 5
Kou are trusted, jw=k
The Eloquent Peasant Page ,,
926(: xpr.tj m thw 5 &et &ou 926(: have .eco+e a transgressor$ rDj.n.tw=k r dnjt
926": n mAr 5 Kou were appointed to .e a die 926": for the pauper, sAw mH=f 5 so tae
care that he doesnAt drownG mk Tw
92-0: m S=f sTAw 5 *ut loo, &ou 92-0: are the lae that pulls hi+ under$A jw.jn rf sxtj
92-1: pn r spr n=f 6nw sp 5 /nd this peasant ca+e 92-1: to plead with hi+ for a si7th
ti+e, Dd=f jmj-rA pr wr n=j 5 and he said> ?0igh steward, +& lord,
92-2: n sjsf !r! 5 92-2: lord who eradicates falsehood, sxpr mAat sxpr
92-,: w n nfr 5 who creates truth and creates 92-,: all goodness, sHtm w Perhaps
+eant was w-Dw$ 5 who destro&s BevilC, mj jw sAw
92-4: Dr=f Hqr 5 lie when satiet& co+es 92-4: and ends hunger, Hsw Dr=f HA
92-):wt 5 and clothes end naedness, mj Htp pt r-sA Da
92-6: qA 5 lie when the s& .eco+es cal+ after a heav& stor+ sSmm=s Hsw n 5 and
war+s all who are chilled,
The Eloquent Peasant Page ,4
92--: mj xt pst wADwt 5 92--: lie fire that coos what is raw, mj
92-(: mw axm jt 5 lie 92-(: water that quenches thirstG mAA m
92-": Hr=k 5 See with 92-": &our own e&es> psSw m awnw 5 the ar.itrator is a cheat,
92(0: shrr m jr Ahw 5 92(0: the appeaser is causing +iser&, stw
92(1:t m jr mnt 5 and he who should +itigate is causing suffering$ jw sjAT
92(2: sSrr=f mAat mH nfr 5 %heating 92(2: di+inishes Dustice, so render good account, n
hqs
92(,: n wn mAat 5 and Dustice will .e neither insufficient nor e7cessive$ version 6 7, jr
twt 5 So act accordingl&G version 6 7/ jr jn=k jm n snnw=k 5 @f &ou acquire, then give to
&our fellow +an,
92(4: w!"t Sw.tj m aqA 5 92(4: for chewing is without +erit$
92(): jw Ahw=j sSm=f r jw
92(6:dt 5 92(): M& anguish leads to separation jw srx"=j jn.n=f rww
The Eloquent Peasant Page ,)
92(-:t 5 and +& accusation .rought departure5 n rx.n.tw wnnt m j 5 one cannot now
what is in the heart$
92((: m wsf jr rk r smjt 5 92((: JonAt .e negligent, act at the accusationG fdq=k nm Ts=f
5 @f &ou sever, who will DoinE
92(": aHA-mw m a=k 5 92(": The sounding rod is in &our hand, mj xt wn sp n mw"
xpr(.w) 5 a rod that +aes waters accessi.le that have sta&ed .ehind !during low tide#$
92"0: jr aq dpt jw Sd.tw=s 5 92"0: @f a ship goes down, it is looted Aq ATpw=s n tA
92"1: Hr mr"wt nt 5 and its cargo perishes on the ground 92"1: at ever& e+.an+ent$
version 6 7, jw !s n 91,: ATpw=k r Sdt=k Hr mr"t nt 5 and &our share of the cargo will
.e what &ou seiLe, at ever& e+.an+ent$ 914: jw rx.tw 5 914: @t is nown> version 6 7/
jw=k sA.tj jw=k wA.tj jw=k
92"2: twt(.tj) 5 Kou are educated, enlightened 92"2: and acco+plished$ n js n awn 5 .ut
not for cheatingG jw=k jrr=k twtw w-n 5 Kou act the sa+e as ever&one,
92",* jw hAw=k m nwdw aqA 5 92",: and &our environ+ent is corrupt$ version ; 7, jw
hAw=k m nwdw 91-: aqA n w-n 5 and ever& +an in &our environ+ent is corrupt$
version 6 7/ jA
92"4:Tj n tA r-Dr=f 5 Molester of the entire landG kAn" n w-Hwrw Hr
The Eloquent Peasant Page ,6
92"): ntf Hsp=f m jw"t 5 The cultivator of wicedness is 92"): watering his garden with
evil, r sxpr Hsp=f
92"6: m !r! 5 to +ae his garden grow 92"6: with falsehood r ntf j"t n Dt 5 and to water
everlasting doo+$A
92"-: jw.jn rf sxtj pn r spr n=f 2nw sp 5 92"-: /nd this peasant ca+e to plead with hi+
for a seventh ti+e, Dd=f
92"(: jmj-rA pr wr n=j 5 and he said> 92"(: ?0igh steward, +& lord, ntk Hmw n tA r-
Dr=f 5 &ou are the hel+ of the entire land, sqdd
92"": tA xft wD=k 5 the land sails in accordance with &our co++and$ ntk snnw n FDHwtj 5
Kou are the equal of Thoth,
9,00: wDa nn rDjt Hr !s 5 9,00: who Dudges without .eing partial$ n=j wAH=k njs Tw s 5
M& lord, +a& &ou condone that a +an calls upon &ou
9,01: r sp=f n wn-mAa 5 9,01: concerning his Dust cause$ m SnT j=k n n=k st 5 JonAt .e
outrageous, it is not for &ouG
9,02: xpr Aw Hr m Hw j 5 9,02: Ine who was happ& .eco+es an7ious$ m wA n ntt n jjt 5
Jo not sche+e for what has not &et co+e,
9,0,: m Haw n ntt n xprt 5 9,0,: do not reDoice in what has not &et happenedG jw wxd
sAw=f m xnms 5 %onsiderateness e7tends friendship
The Eloquent Peasant Page ,-
9,04: sHtm sp xpr 5 9,04: and dis+isses an offence that happens5 n rx.n.tw wnnt m j 5
one cannot now what is in the heart$
9,0): xA hp HD tp-Hs 5 9,0): Su.verter of the law, destro&er of rectitudeG nn mAr
,06: anx 5 There will .e no poor +an 9,06: alive HaDAw=f n wSd sw mAat 5 if Dustice does
not attend to hi+ when he is ro..ed$ jw !rt
9,0-: Xt=j mH.tj 5 Now, 9,0-: +& .od& is full !of +iser&# j=j ATp(.w) 5 and +& heart is
laden !with grief#$ pr js m Xt=j n a jrj 5 @t co+es fro+ +& .od& .ecause of the condition
thereof>
9,0(: n!t pw m dnjt mw=s As(.w) 5 9,0(: it is the .reach of a die, its waters pouring
through, wn
9,0": rA=j r mdt 5 as +& +outh opens to spea$ aHa A aHA.n=j mrj=j 5 So, @ have now
plied +& sounding rod, pnq.n=j
',10: mw"=j 5 .ailed 9,10: +& water, snf.n=j ntt m Xt=j 5 given vent to what was on
+& +ind ja.n=j SAmw=j 5 and washed +& dirt& linen$
9,11: xn=j xpr(.w) 5 9,11: M& speech is done mAr=j Jr!$w# xft-Hr=k 5 and +& +iser&
has ended up .efore &ou, ptr
The Eloquent Peasant Page ,(
9,12: DArw=k 5 what !+ore# 9,12: do &ou needE jw wsf=k r tht=k 5 Kour neglect will
lead &ou astra&, jw awn-j=k
9,1,: r swxA=k 5 &our avarice 9,1,: will .efool &ou jw snm=k r sxpr xrw"w=k 5 and
&our greed will +ae &ou acquire ene+ies$
9,14: jn-jw=k swt r !mt k" sxtj mjtw=j 5 9,14: =ill &ou even find another peasant lie
+eE
9,1): jn-jw wsfw spr" r aHa r rA n pr=f 5 9,1): Ir will the laL& petitioner .e waiting at
the door of his houseE
9,16: nn !r rDj.n=k mdw=f 5 9,16: There is none silent who+ &ou let spea, nn sDr
rDj.n=k rs=f 5 none sleeping who+ &ou roused, version 6 7, nn sDr srs.n=k 5 none
sleeping who+ &ou roused, version 6 7/
9,1-: nn xA Hr sspd.n=k 5 9,1-: none downcast who+ &ou enlivened, nn tm rA
9,1(: wn.n=k 5 none speechless whose +outh &ou opened, nn xm rDj.n=k rx=f 5 none
ignorant who+ &ou let now, nn wxA sA.n=k 5 none foolish who+ &ou educated$ version
6 7, xm sA.n=k 5 uneducated who+ &ou instructed$ version 6 7/
9,1": Xsrw Dwt pw srw 5 9,1": Ket officials should .e people who dispel inDustice, nw
w-nfr pw 5 lords of goodness,
The Eloquent Peasant Page ,"
9,20: Hmwt pw nt sxpr ntt 5 9,20: crafts+en in creating what is, Tsw tp Hsq 5 people who
+end a severed head$A jw.jn rf
9,21: sxtj pn r spr n=f 3nw sp 5 /nd this peasant ca+e to plead with hi+ for an eighth
ti+e, Dd=f jmj-rA pr wr n=j 5 and said> ?0igh steward, +& lord$ jw
9,22: xr.tw n Hnt wA 5 one sins low through greed$ jw awn-j Sw=f m sp 5 / greed& +an
is without achieve+ent,
9,2,: jw wn sp=f n wht 5 9,2,: he achieves onl& failure$ jw awn j=k nn n=k st 5 Kou
are greed& .ut it does nothing for &ou, jw awA=k
9,24: nn Ax n=k 5 &ou steal 9,24: .ut itAs of no .enefit to &ou$ rDj A aHa s r sp=f nfr n
wn-mAa Kou who should let a +an attend his trul& good causeG
9,2): Xrt=k pw m pr=k5 9,2): @n fact, &our possessions are in &our house Xt=k mH.tj5
and &our sto+ach is full5 wn jt Ttf=s5 the .arle& .ri+s over since it is so a.undant
9,26: Aq prw=s n tA5 9,26: and its e7cess perishes on the ground$
9,2-: jTw awA nHmw 9,2-: Thief, ro..er, snatcherG srw jr.n.tw r %r&?rror by .arkinson
(/00/& or scribal error< xsf r
The Eloquent Peasant Page 40
9,2(: j"t5 The officials who were appointed to repel 9,2(: evil jww pw n Adw5 should
.e shelters fro+ the agressor5 srw jr.n.tw r xsf
9,2": r !r! 5 the officials who were appointed to eradicate 9,2": falsehoodG n rDj.n
snD=k spr n=k 5 /nd the fear of &ou wouldnAt per+it appealing to &ouE version 6 7, n
rDj.n snD=k spr=j 962: n=k 5 /nd the fear of &ou wouldnAt per+it +e to appeal 962: to
&ouE version 6 7/ n sjA.n=k j=j 5 Kou do not perceive +& heartG !r
9,,0: ann sw r jrt Tst n=k 5 The hu+.le +an 9,,0: who returns to +ae a co+plaint to
&ou, n snD.n=f n twA n=f st 5 he cannot fear hi+ to who+ it is su.+itted, version 6 7,
96,: r jrt Tst=f 5 96,: to +ae his co+plaint, n snD.n=k n twA n=k st 5 &ou cannot fear
hi+ who su.+its it to &ou$ version 6 7/
9,,1: n jn sn=f r=k m-Xnw mrrt 5 9,,1: though no .rother of his can .e fetched to side
against &ou in the street$ jw A Sdww=k m sxt 5 Kour plots of land are in the countr&,
9,,2: jw fqA=k m spAt 5 9,,2: &our earnings are in the estate jw aqw=k m Sna 5 and &our
provisions in the storehouse$ jw srw Hr rDjt n=k 5 Ifficials are giving to &ou, version 6
7, 96-: Hr rDjt jn n=k 5 96-: are giving gifts to &ou, version 6 7/
9,,,: jw=k Hr jTt 5 9,,,: and &ou are still ro..ing$ jn-jw=k m awA" 5 /re &ou a thiefE jw
sTA.tw n=k
9,,4: skw Hna=k 5 People are ushered in to &ou, 9,,4: troops .eing with &ou, r psSt
Sdwwt 5 for the division of plots of land$ version 6 7, jn-jw=k rf 96(: m awA" 5 /re &ou a
thief thenE jn-jw sTA.tw n=k skw 96": Hna=k 5 /re people ushered in to &ou, troops 96":
.eing with &ou, r psSt m Sdwwt 5 for the division of plots of landE version 6 7/ jr mAat n
The Eloquent Peasant Page 41
9,,): n mAat 5 Jo Dustice for 9,,): the 2ord of Mustice, ntj wn mAat nt mAat=f 5 whose
Dustice has DusticeG
9,,6: ar Sfdw !stj FDHwtj 5 9,,6: Pen, pap&rus, palette of Thoth,
9,,-: Hr.tj r jrt j"t 5 9,,-: .eware of doing evilG nfr nfrt nfr r=f 5 The goodness of a
good +an is good to hi+, version 6 7, nfr nfrt nfr rf nfrt 5 =hen goodness is good,
goodness is good indeed, version 6 7/
9,,(: jw swt mAat r nHH 5 9,,(: .ut Dustice is for eternit&$ hAA=s
9,,": m-a jrr sj r Xrt-nTr 5 @t goes down 9,,": with hi+ who does it to the necropolis$ jw
qrs.tw
',40:;f 5 =hen he is .uried, smA tA jm=f 5 and earth envelops hi+, n sjn.tw
9,41: rn=f tp tA 5 his na+e is not effaced on earth %jw=f& jw sxA.tw=f Hr w3
9,42:nfr 5 and he is re+e+.ered on account of the goodness$ tp-Hs pw n mdw-nTr 5 This
is the nor+ of the divine word$ version ; 42 tp-Hs n mdw-nTr 5 The nor+ of the divine
word> version 6 7/ jn jwsw
The Eloquent Peasant Page 42
9,4,: pw 5 @f it is a ?handA3.alance, n !%r&sA.n=f 5 then it is not crooed$ jn mxAt
9,44: pw 5 @f it is a ?standA3.alance, n rDj.n=s Hr !s 5 then it is not .iased$ mk wj
9,4): r jwt 5 2oo, @ 9,4): will co+e, mk k" r jwt 5 and another will co+e, wSd=k 5 so
&ou should inquireG
9,46: m wSw m wSd !r
9,4-:w 5 9,46: *ut do not respond as one who questions a hu+.le +an$ m pH ntj n
pH.n=f 5 Jo not attac one who cannot attac$ n sf
9,4(:$n=k n mn.n=k 5 Kou show no +erc&, &ou are not trou.led, version 6 7, n
hA.n=k 5 &ou do not flee, version 6 7/ n sksk
9,4":.n=k 5 &ou do not destro&, n rDj.n=k n=j DAw n mdt
9,)0: tn nfrt 5 nor do &ou give +e a reward for this good speech prrt m rA n Fra Ds=f 5
that co+es forth fro+ the +outh of 'e hi+selfG
9,)1: Dd mAat jr mAat 5 9,)1: Spea Dustice and do DusticeG version 6 7, 9(): jr rk n=j
mAat 5 9(): Jo Dustice to +eG version 6 7/ Dr-ntt wr sj 5 1or it is +ight&,
The Eloquent Peasant Page 4,
9,)2: aA sj wAH sj 5 9,)2: it is great, it is enduring, !mw.tw kft=s 5 one will find its
trustworthiness,
9,),: sw=s r jmAx 5 9,),: it will lead to .lessedness$ jn !sA
9,)4: jwsw 5 %an a .alance .e crooed version 6 7, n !sA jwsw 5 / .alance cannot .e
crooed version 6 7/ Hnkww=f pw
9,)): fA"w jxwt 5 when it is its pans that weigh thingsE n xpr.n pr
9,)6:w n tp-Hs 5 There can .e no e7cess of rectitude$ n spr.n sp Xs r
9,)-: %r& dmj 5 /n evil deed cannot reach 9,)-: har.our, Xrj-sA r sAH tA 5 .ut the
hinder+ost will reach land$A version 6 7,
9"1: jw.jn rf sxtj pn r spr n=f (nw sp 5 9"1: /nd this peasant ca+e to plead with hi+
for a ninth ti+e,
9"2: Dd=f jmj-rA pr wr n=j 5 9"2: and said> ?0igh steward, +& lord, mxAt pw nt
9",: rmT ns=sn 5 the tongue of people is their ?standA3.alance, jn jwsw Dar
The Eloquent Peasant Page 44
9"4: DAt 5 and it is the ?handA3.alance that detects 9"4: deficienc& jrr xsft r xsfw n=f 5
and inflicts punish+ent on hi+ who ought to .e punished$ sn.tw tp-Hs r=k 5 Ine sets the
standard after &ou$
9"): B$$$C !r! xpr Xrt=f 5 9"): 1alsehood B$$$C when its need arises,
9"6: ann sj mAat r aqA=f 5 9"6: .ut the truth returns to correct it$ jxt pw nt
'(2* !r! mAat 5 Truth is an aspect of falsehood, swAD=f pw 5 which +eans it is +ade to
thrive n nw.tw=f 5 .ut it is not gathered in$
9"(: jr Sm !r! jw=f tnm=f 5 9"(: =hen falsehood sets out, it goes astra&$ n
9"": DA.n=f m mXnt 5 @t cannot cross in a ferr& n sSAA.n=f estored as "ro"osed in the
note by .arkinson (/00/&$ 5 and it cannot row$
9100: jr xwd %x&Xr=f 5 9100: /s for hi+ who is enriched .& it, nn msw=f
9101: nn jwaww=f tp tA 5 he has no children 9101: and no heirs on earth$ jr sqdd
9102: Xr=f 5 /s for hi+ who sails 9102: with it, n sAH.n=f tA 5 he cannot reach land, n
mnj.n
The Eloquent Peasant Page 4)
910,: dpwt=f r dmj=s 5 his .oat cannot +oor in its har.our$ m dns n js=k 5 JonAt .e
heav&, &ou havenAt .een lightG
9104: m jhm n xAx=k 5 9104: JonAt dela&, &ou havenAt .een swiftG m nma 5 JonAt .e
partialG m sDm n
910)* j 5 JonAt listen to 910): the heartG m Hs Hr=k r rx.n=k 5 JonAt disregard
so+eone &ou nowG m Sp Hr=k r
9106: d! n=k 5 JonAt .e .lind to 9106: so+eone who loos to &ouG m nj twA Tw 5 JonAt
fend off so+eone who appeals to &ouG hA=k
910-: m pA wsf 5 Ma& &ou a.andon 910-: this neglect, smj.tw Ts=k 5 and +a& &our
verdict .e announcedG
910(: jr n jrr n=k 5 910(: /ct for hi+ who acts for &ou m sDm n w-n r=f 5 and donAt
listen to an&one who is against hi+G njs s
910": r sp=f n wn-mAa 5 Su++on a +an 910": concerning his Dust causeG nn sf n wsfw 5
There is no &esterda& for the negligent,
9110: nn xnms n sX mAat 5 9110: no friend for hi+ who is deaf to truth nn hrw
9111: nfr n awn-j 5 and no holida& for the greed&$ xpr wTsw m
The Eloquent Peasant Page 46
9112: mAr" 5 The accuser .eco+es 9112: wretched, mAr" r sprw 5 wretched to .e a
suppliant,
911,: xpr xft m smAw 5 911,: and the opponent .eco+es a +urderer$ mk wj Hr spr
9114: n=k 5 2oo, @ a+ pleading with 9114: &ou n sDm.n=k st 5 .ut &ou do not hear it$
jw=j r Smt spr=j
911): Hr=k n Fjnpw 5 @ will go and plead 911): concerning &ou with /nu.is$A rDj.jn jmj-
rA pr wr
9116: Fmrw sA Frnsj Sm jmj-sA 2 5 Then the high steward 'ensi, son of Meru, sent two
guards r an n=f 5 to .ring hi+ .ac$
911-: wn.jn sxtj pn snD(.w) 5 911-: /nd this peasant was afraid, j=f jrr.tw
911(: r xsf n=f 5 thining it was done 911(: to punish hi+ Hr mdt tn Ddt.n=f 5 on
account of these words that he had said$ Dd.jn sxtj pn 5 /nd this peasant said>
911": xsfw n j m mw 5 911": ?/ thirst& +anAs approach of water, DAt rA
The Eloquent Peasant Page 4-
9120: n Xrd n snt m jrTt 5 the reach of a nurselingAs +outh for +il,

9121: ntf mwt 5 9121: such is death n nH" mA=f n j"=f 5 for hi+ who pra&s to see it
co+e
9122: jj wdf mwt=f r=f 5 9122: when his death co+es tardil& for hi+$A Dd.jn jmj3rA pr wr
912,: Fmrw sA Frnsj 5 Then the high steward 'ensi, son of Meru, said> m snD sxtj 5
?JonAt .e afraid, peasantG mk
9124: jrr=k r jrt Hna=j 5 2oo, 9124: &ou will arrange the +atter with +e$A rDj.jn sxtj pn
912): anx Hr 5 *ut this peasant swore 912): an oath> wnm=j A m t=k 5 ?So @ will eat &our
.read swr=j A
9126: [Hnqt]=k r nHH 5 and drin 9126: &our B.eerC foreverGA Dd.n jmj-rA pr wr
912-: Fmrw sA Frnsj 5 The high steward 'ensi, son of Meru, said> sA !rt aA 5 ?Now wait
here
912(: sDm=k nA"=k n sprwt 5 912(: and hear &our petitionsGA rDj.jn=f Sd.tw
The Eloquent Peasant Page 4(
912": Hr art mAt sprt nt r Xrt[=s] 5 /nd fro+ a new pap&rus roll he had ever& petition
read out according to BitsC content$
91,0: saq.jn sj jmj-rA pr wr Fmrw sA Frnsj 5 91,0: Then the high steward 'ensi, son of
Meru, delivered the+
91,1: n Hm n nsw-jtj Fn-kAw3Fra mAa-xrw 5 91,1: to the +aDest& of the ing of Hpper
and 2ower Eg&pt Ne.aure, Dustified, wn.jn nfr st Hr j=f 5 and the& pleased his heart
91,2: r jxt nt ntt m tA pn r-Dr=f 5 91,2: +ore than an&thing in this entire land$ Dd.jn
Hm=f 5 Then 0is MaDest& said>
91,,: wDa Tw Ds=k sA Fmrw 5 91,,: ?Pass Dudge+ent &ourself, son of MeruGA rDj.jn jmj-
rA pr wr
91,4: Fmrw sA Frnsj Sm jmj-sA 2 r [jnt Fnmtj-nxt] 5 /nd the high steward 'ensi, son of
Meru, sent two guards to Bfetch Ne+tinahtC$
91,): aHa.n=f jn(.w) 5 91,): Then he was .rought jr wpwt m [...] 5 and an inventor& was
+ade of B$$$C
91,6: aHa.n !m.n=f tpw 6 5 91,6: 0e found si7 persons Hrw-r [...]
The Eloquent Peasant Page 4"
91,-: r Sma=f r tj=f r aAw=f 5 as well as B$$$C 91,-: his .arle&, his e++er, his done&s,
1or tj see dt
91,(: r SAw=f r awt[=f] [...] 5 91,(: his swine, BhisC s+all cattle, B$$$C B$$$C
91,": Fnmtj-nxt pn n sxtj pn [...] 5 B$$$C 91,": this Ne+tinaht B$$$C to this peasant B$$$C
B$$$C
9140: [...]=f nt B$$$C 5 B$$$C 9140: B$$$C all his B$$$C B$$$C
9141: n Fnmtj-nxt pn B$$$C 5 B$$$C 9141: of this Ne+tinaht B$$$C
9142: jw=f pw [HAt=f r pHwj=fj mj !m"t m sS] 5 9142: This was copied Bfro+ start to
finish as found in writingC$