Imhotep (Imhetep, Greek Imouthes), Doctor, Architect, High Priest, Scribe and Vizier to King Djoser
IMHOTEP was the world´s first named philosopher and architect who built Egypt´s first pyramid. He is often recognized as the world´s first doctor, a priest, scribe, sage, poet, astrologer, and a vizier and reigned 2630–2611 BC, the second king of Egypt´s third dynasty. He may have lived under as many as four kings. An inscription on one of that kings statues gives us Imhotep´s titles as the "chancellor of the king of lower Egypt", the "first one under the king", the "administrator of the great mansion", the "hereditary Noble", the "high priest of Heliopolis", the "chief sculptor", and finally the "chief carpenter". From the First Intermediate Period onward Imhotep was also revered as a poet and philosopher.
Written below are IMHOTEP’s teachings made eternal by Time whose wisdom for universal values, reflections, teachings and ethics are relevant to date for the benefit of humanity and our interconnectedness. Let us not forget that first we are humans and the rest is history. Together we can make positive history for the benefit of humanity.
Leadership according to IMHOTEP:
22 If you are a man who leads,
Who controls the affairs of the many,
Seek out every beneficent deed,
That your conduct may be blameless.
Great is justice, lasting in effect,
Unchallenged since the time of Osiris.
One punishes the transgressor of laws,
Though the greedy overlooks this;
Baseness may seize riches,
Yet crime never lands its wares;
In the end it is justice that lasts,
Man says: "It is my father's ground.''
23 If you are mighty, gain respect through knowledge
And through gentleness of speech.
When you answer one who is fuming,
Avert your face, control yourself.
The flame of the hot-heart sweeps across,
He who steps gently, his path is paved.
He who frets all day has no happy moment,
He who's gay all day can't keep house.
24 If you are a man who leads,
Listen calmly to the speech of one who pleads;
Don't stop him from purging his body
Of that which he planned to tell.
A man in distress wants to pour out his heart
More than that his case be won.
About him who stops a plea
One says: "Why does he reject it ?"
Not all one pleads for can be granted,
But a good hearing soothes the heart.
25 Punish firmly, chastise soundly,
Then repression of crime becomes an example;
Punishment except for crime
Turns the complainer into an enemy.
Source: http://nefertiti.iwebland.com/texts/precepts_of_ptahhotep.htm
