GOOD MORNING: The Pursuit of Virtue

“सर्वभूतेषु चात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि। ईक्षते योगयुक्तात्मा सर्वत्र समदर्शनः॥ Do unto others as you would have them do unto you لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى يحب لأخيه ما يحب لنفسه 鄰國之利即我之利，鄰國之害即我之害 מאי דעלך סני לחברך לא תעביד”

In our fast-paced, modern world, the pursuit of virtue can sometimes seem like a distant ideal. However, the principles of righteousness, nobility, justice, purity, sweetness, and pleasantness have been revered across cultures and eras. These virtues are not just lofty ideals but practical guides to living a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Mengejar Kebajikan

Dalam dunia modern yang serba cepat ini, berusaha menerapkan kebajikan terkadang tampak seperti cita-cita yang jauh. Namun, prinsip-prinsip kebenaran, kemuliaan, keadilan, kemurnian, kemanisan, dan kesenangan telah dijunjung tinggi di berbagai budaya dan era. Kebajikan-kebajikan ini bukan sekadar cita-cita luhur, tetapi panduan praktis untuk menjalani kehidupan yang memuaskan dan bermakna.

This writing aims to explore these virtues in depth, offering insights and practical advice on how to incorporate them into our daily lives. The teachings of ancient philosophers and sages provide a rich source of guidance for those seeking to live a virtuous life. Despite the passage of centuries, the wisdom of these ancient thinkers remains remarkably relevant. Their insights into human nature, ethics, and the pursuit of a good life continue to resonate with us today.

Timeless Principles Ancient wisdom is rooted in timeless principles that transcend cultural and temporal boundaries. Philosophers like Socrates, Confucius, and the Buddha taught that virtues such as righteousness, justice, and purity are essential for a harmonious and flourishing life. These principles are not confined to any particular era; they speak to the universal human experience and provide a foundation for ethical living.

Enduring Legacy The enduring legacy of ancient wisdom is evident in the continued reverence for these teachings across generations. Writings like Ptahhotep Maxim, the Tao Te Ching, Al-Qur’an and the Bhagavad Gita have been studied and cherished for millennia. Their teachings on virtue and ethical conduct have shaped cultures, inspired movements, and influenced countless individuals. By drawing on this rich heritage, we can find inspiration and guidance for our own lives.

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.

Many ancient teachings across different traditions emphasize similar principles, reflecting a shared understanding of what constitutes a virtuous life. Here is a compilation of some principles found in the Ptahhotep Maxim an ancient Egyptian vizier who lived around 2100 BC during the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt, Judaism the Book of Moses around 1000 BC, Tao Te Ching around 400 BC, Bhagavad Gita around 200 BC, Book of Bible 100 AD, Al-Qur’an around 600 AD and quite young culture the Javanese Wisdom around 1500 AD.

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.

• 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)

• Islam: “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, my punishment is severe.” (Quran 14:7)

• Javanese: “Nrimo ing pandum” (Accepting one’s fate). This principle encourages gratitude and contentment with what one has, accepting life’s circumstances with grace.

In Ptahhotep’s wisdom provides timeless guidance on how to lead a virtuous and fulfilling life. His teachings emphasize humility, justice, self-control, kindness, and gratitude, values that resonate across different cultures and time periods. While on Ptahhotep Maxim scholars and hieroglyphic scientists provide the transliterations and translations of the maxims. Here’s how we can get started.

Overview some of the specific hieroglyphs and how they were used in ancient Egyptian writing:

1. Reed Leaf, Symbol:

Phonetic Value: “i” or “y” This hieroglyph is often used as a phonetic symbol for the sounds “i” or “y”. It can appear at the beginning or within words and is common in various contexts.

2. Foot, Symbol:

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:

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:

Phonetic Value: “w” This hieroglyph represents the sound “w”. The quail chick is commonly used in various words and can appear in different positions within a word.

6. Loaf of Bread, Symbol:

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.

•Determinatives: Providing context to the meaning of words.

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

No one is born wise

Ptahhotep was an ancient Egyptian vizier who lived around 2400 BC during the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt. He served under King Djedkare Isesi and held several important positions, including overseer of the treasury, overseer of scribes of the king’s documents, and overseer of all royal works. The Maxims of Ptahhotep, a collection of wisdom literature intended to instruct young men in appropriate behavior and social harmony. This text is considered one of the earliest pieces of Egyptian wisdom literature and offers advice on various topics, from table manners to maintaining self-control. His tomb is located in a mastaba at Saqqara, and it is famous for its outstanding depictions and reliefs. Ptahhotep’s son, Akhethetep, and his grandson, Ptahhotep Tjefi, were also notable figures who continued his legacy.

Here are some of Ptahhotep’s teachings from The Maxims of Ptahhotep:

1. On Humility and Wisdom (Maxim 1):

Transliteration: m ḥr n(y) dḥs
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.”
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):

Transliteration: ḥm r (ṯ)mtyw n(y) s(t)s pn n(y) (d)d ḥy ḥr
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 and fair so that all may respect you.”
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):

Transliteration: nfrw n(y) ḥr w(y) nbw s(y) nq wḏ
Translation: “If you are mighty and powerful, then gain respect through knowledge and kindness. Speak softly so that everyone can benefit from your wisdom.”
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):

Transliteration: r nw(y) wṭt(y) (ṯ)ʿ ḫt r nb n(y) ḥr-ḫs(y) n ḥ(y)ṯ(y)
Translation: “If you are among the people, gain friends through being gentle. Your heart is far more effective than a weapon.”
Interpretation: Ptahhotep emphasizes the importance of kindness and generosity in building relationships, suggesting that a gentle and kind heart is more powerful than any force or weapon.

5. On Gratitude and Contentment (Maxim 28):

Transliteration: nfr n(y) ḥr ḥ(y) w(y) nbw s(y) nq wḏ
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.”
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.

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
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
Judaism: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow.” מה ששנוא עליך, אל תעשה לחברך
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 •
Javanese: “Life is to light up.” (Urip iku urup) ꦲꦸꦫꦶꦥ꧀ꦲꦶꦏꦸꦲꦸꦫꦸꦥ꧀
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。
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॥

Judaism: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” תאהב את רעך כמוך
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
Javanese: “Noble character.” (Luhuring budi) ꦭꦸꦲꦸꦫꦶꦁ ꦧꦸꦢꦶ
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.
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॥
Judaism: “Justice, justice, shall you pursue.” צדק, צדק, תרדוף
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
Javanese: “Being fair towards others.” (Adil marang liyan) ꦲꦢꦶꦭ꧀ꦩꦫꦁꦭꦶꦪ
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。
Bhagavad Gita: “Be free from pride, pretension, and hypocrisy, and also be free from over-attachment.” अमानित्वं अदम्भित्वं अहिंसा क्षान्तिरार्जवम्। आचार्योपासनं शौचं स्थैर्यमात्मविनिग्रहः॥
Judaism: “The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” שכר הענווה ויראת ה’ הוא עושר וכבוד וחיים
Islam: “And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly.” وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا
Javanese: “Humility.” (Andhap asor) ꦲꦤ꧀ꦝꦥ꧀ꦲꦱꦺꦴꦂ
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。

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॥
Judaism: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” הודו לה’ כי טוב הוא; אהבתו נמשכת לנצח
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
Javanese: “Accepting one’s fate.” (Nrimo ing pandum) ꦤꦿꦶꦩꦺꦴꦲꦶꦁꦥꦤ꧀ꦢꦸꦩ꧀

GOOD MORNING

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The Pursuit of Virtue