As
we embark on this journey through the virtues, let us embrace the wisdom of the
ancients and apply their teachings to our contemporary lives. By reflecting on
what is righteous, noble, just, pure, sweet, and pleasant, we can cultivate a
life of virtue and make a positive impact on the world around us.
Enduring
Legacy: Some Common Principles in Ancient Teachings
1.
The Golden Rule
• Bible: "Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you." (Matthew 7:12)
• Tao Te Ching: "Regard your neighbor's
gain as your own gain, and your neighbor's loss as your own loss."
(Chapter 49)
• Bhagavad Gita: "He who sees the self in
all beings and all beings in the self, remains focused and attains the supreme
objective." (Bhagavad Gita 6:29)
• Judaism: "What is hateful to you, do
not do to your fellow." (Talmud, Shabbat 31a)
• Islam: "None of you truly believes
until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." (Hadith of
Prophet Muhammad)
• Javanese: "Urip iku urup" (Life is
to light up). This principle emphasizes living in a way that benefits others,
bringing light and positivity to those around you.
2.
Compassion and Kindness
• Bible: "Be kind and compassionate to
one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
(Ephesians 4:32)
• Tao Te Ching: "The sage has no fixed
heart. The hearts of the people are his heart." (Chapter 49)
• Bhagavad Gita: "He who has no ill will
to any being, who is friendly and compassionate, who has no thoughts of ‘I’ and
‘mine’... he is dear to me." (Bhagavad Gita 12:13-14)
• Judaism: "You shall love your neighbor
as yourself." (Leviticus 19:18)
• Islam: "The merciful are shown mercy by
the All-Merciful. Show mercy to those on earth, and the One above the heavens
will show mercy to you." (Hadith of Prophet Muhammad)
• Javanese: "Luhuring budi" (Noble
character). This concept encourages individuals to cultivate a noble character
through acts of kindness and compassion towards others.
3.
Justice and Fairness
• Bible: "Learn to do right; seek
justice. Defend the oppressed." (Isaiah 1:17)
• Tao Te Ching: "The Tao does not judge,
yet it always wins. It does not speak, yet it always responds. It does not
summon, yet people come to it naturally." (Chapter 73)
• Bhagavad Gita: "Treat all beings with
equanimity, whether in pleasure or pain, gain or loss, victory or defeat."
(Bhagavad Gita 2:38)
• Judaism: "Justice, justice, shall you
pursue." (Deuteronomy 16:20)
• Islam: "O you who have believed, be
persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the
hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to
righteousness." (Quran 5:8)
• Javanese: "Adil marang liyan"
(Being fair towards others). Javanese wisdom places great importance on fairness
and justice in all interactions.
4.
Humility
• Bible: "Humble yourselves before the
Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:10)
• Tao Te Ching: "He who knows himself is
enlightened. He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is
mighty." (Chapter 33)
• Bhagavad Gita: "Be free from pride,
pretension, and hypocrisy, and also be free from over-attachment."
(Bhagavad Gita 13:7-8)
• Judaism: "The reward of humility and
fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life." (Proverbs 22:4)
• Islam: "And the servants of the Most
Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly." (Quran 25:63)
• Javanese: "Andhap asor"
(Humility). This value emphasizes the importance of humility, modesty, and not
boasting about oneself.
5.
Gratitude
• Bible: "Give thanks in all
circumstances." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
• Tao Te Ching: "A wise man is content
with what he has, without the need for more. He is simple and free from
desires." (Chapter 33)
• Bhagavad Gita: "Whatever you do,
whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give, whatever austerities you perform,
do that as an offering to me." (Bhagavad Gita 9:27)
• Judaism: "Give thanks to the Lord, for
He is good; His love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1)
• Islam: "If you are grateful, I will
surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, my punishment is
severe." (Quran 14:7)
Overview some of the specific hieroglyphs and how they were used
in ancient Egyptian writing:
1. Reed Leaf, Symbol: 𓇋
2. Foot, Symbol: 𓂝
Phonetic Value: "b" This hieroglyph represents the
phonetic sound "b". It can also symbolize movement or action, as the
foot is associated with walking and movement.
3. Star, Symbol: 𓇼
Phonetic Value: "s" This hieroglyph often represents
the sound "s". Stars were important symbols in ancient Egyptian
culture, often associated with the gods and the afterlife.
4. Quail Chick, Symbol: 𓅂
5. Two Reed Leaves, Symbol: 𓏭
Phonetic Value: "y" or "ii" This hieroglyph
is often used to represent the sound "y" or a long "ii". It
can be used at the end of words or in the middle to indicate a prolonged sound.
6. Loaf of Bread, Symbol: 𓏏
Phonetic Value: "t" This hieroglyph represents the
sound "t". It is one of the most common hieroglyphs and appears in
various words. Bread was a staple in ancient Egypt, and the loaf symbol is
frequently used.
In ancient Egyptian writing, hieroglyphs could function as:
•Phonetic symbols: Representing sounds or syllables.
•Logograms: Representing whole words or concepts.
For example, the word "ms" (to give birth) can be written with a combination of the symbols for "m" and "s", followed by a determinative symbol of a seated woman indicating the action of giving birth.
"sbAiit”: written teachings
Here are some of Ptahhotep's teachings from The Maxims of
Ptahhotep:
1. On Humility and Wisdom (Maxim 1):
o Transliteration: m ḥr n(y) dḥs
o Translation: "Do not be proud because you are learned. Converse with the ignorant as freely as with the sage. The limits of art cannot be delivered; there is no artist whose talent is fulfilled."
o Interpretation: This maxim emphasizes the importance of humility and continuous learning. No matter how knowledgeable one is, there is always more to learn, and wisdom can come from anyone.
2. On Justice and Fairness (Maxim 5):
o Transliteration: ḥm r (ṯ)mtyw n(y) s(t)s pn n(y) (d)d ḥy ḥr
o Translation: "If you are a leader, be gracious when you listen to the plea of a petitioner. Let no one say to you, 'Judge! I am oppressed!' Be just o and fair so that all may respect you."
o Interpretation: Ptahhotep advises leaders to be just and impartial, listening to the concerns of those they govern with compassion and fairness.
3. On Self-Control and Moderation (Maxim 14):
o Transliteration: nfrw n(y) ḥr w(y) nbw s(y) nq wḏ
o Translation: "If you are mighty and powerful, then gain respect through knowledge and kindness. Speak softly so that everyone can benefit from your wisdom."
o Interpretation: This maxim encourages those in positions of power to use their strength wisely and to practice self-control, gaining respect through their kindness and wisdom.
4. On Kindness and Generosity (Maxim 21):
o Transliteration: r nw(y) wṭt(y) (ṯ)ʿ ḫt r nb n(y) ḥr-ḫs(y) n ḥ(y)ṯ(y)
o Translation: "If you are among the people, gain friends through being gentle. Your heart is far more effective than a weapon."
o Interpretation: Ptahhotep emphasizes the importance of kindness and generosity in building relationships, o suggesting that a gentle and kind heart is more powerful than any force or weapon.
5. On Gratitude and Contentment (Maxim 28):
o Transliteration: nfr n(y) ḥr ḥ(y) w(y) nbw s(y) nq wḏ
o Translation: "Do not let your heart be puffed up because of your knowledge; do not let your power be a cause of offense against others. Be thankful for what you have and show gratitude to those who have helped you."
o Interpretation: This maxim highlights the importance of gratitude and contentment, reminding individuals to remain humble and thankful for what they have.
These common principles show that despite cultural and religious differences, there is a shared understanding of how to live a virtuous life. Each tradition teaches us to be kind, just, humble, and grateful, promoting harmony and goodwill among people and gives us unique shape of the letters in beautiful scripts.
o Tao Te Ching: "Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain, and your neighbor's loss as your own loss." 把鄰居的所得視為自己的所得，把鄰居的損失視為自己的損失
o Bhagavad Gita: "He who sees the self in all beings and all beings in the self, remains focused and attains the supreme objective." यः सर्वभूतेषु सर्वभूतेषु आत्मानं पश्यति, सः एकाग्रः स्थित्वा परमं लक्ष्यं प्राप्नोति
o Judaism: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow." מה ששנוא עליך, אל תעשה לחברך
o Islam: "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى يحب لأخيه ما يحب لنفسه •
o Javanese: "Life is to light up." (Urip iku urup) ꦲꦸꦫꦶꦥ꧀ꦲꦶꦏꦸꦲꦸꦫꦸꦥ꧀
o Tao Te Ching: "The sage has no fixed heart. The hearts of the people are his heart." 聖人無常心，以百姓心為心。
o Bhagavad Gita: "He who has no ill will to any being, who is friendly and compassionate, who has no thoughts of ‘I’ and ‘mine’... he is dear to me." अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च। निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी॥
o Judaism: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." תאהב את רעך כמוך
o Islam: "The merciful are shown mercy by the All-Merciful. Show mercy to those on earth, and the One above the heavens will show mercy to you." الرحماء يرحمهم الرحمن ارحموا من في الأرض يرحمكم من في السماء
o Javanese: "Noble character." (Luhuring budi) ꦭꦸꦲꦸꦫꦶꦁ ꦧꦸꦢꦶ
o Tao Te Ching: "The Tao does not judge, yet it always wins. It does not speak, yet it always responds. It does not summon, yet people come to it naturally." 道不論是非，卻無往不利；不言而應，不召而至.
o Bhagavad Gita: "Treat all beings with equanimity, whether in pleasure or pain, gain or loss, victory or defeat." सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ। ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्स्यसि॥
o Judaism: "Justice, justice, shall you pursue." צדק, צדק, תרדוף
o Islam: "O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness." يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَى أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا ۚ اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ
o Javanese: "Being fair towards others." (Adil marang liyan) ꦲꦢꦶꦭ꧀ꦩꦫꦁꦭꦶꦪ
o Tao Te Ching: "He who knows himself is enlightened. He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty."知人者智，自知者明。勝人者有力，自勝者強。
o Bhagavad Gita: "Be free from pride, pretension, and hypocrisy, and also be free from over-attachment." अमानित्वं अदम्भित्वं अहिंसा क्षान्तिरार्जवम्। आचार्योपासनं शौचं स्थैर्यमात्मविनिग्रहः॥
o Judaism: "The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life." שכר הענווה ויראת ה' הוא עושר וכבוד וחיים
o Islam: "And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly." وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا
o Javanese: "Humility.” (Andhap asor) ꦲꦤ꧀ꦝꦥ꧀ꦲꦱꦺꦴꦂ
o Tao Te Ching: "A wise man is content with what he has, without the need for more. He is simple and free from desires." 明智的人對自己擁有的一切感到滿足，不需要更多。他性格單純，沒有慾望。
o Bhagavad Gita: "Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give, whatever austerities you perform, do that as an offering to me." यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत्। यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम्॥
o Judaism: "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." הודו לה' כי טוב הוא; אהבתו נמשכת לנצח
o Islam: "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe." وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ
o Javanese: "Accepting one's fate." (Nrimo ing pandum) ꦤꦿꦶꦩꦺꦴꦲꦶꦁꦥꦤ꧀ꦢꦸꦩ꧀
