Ptahhotep Quotes

Next to power without honor, the most dangerous thing in the world is power without humor.

He who has great power should use it lightly.

Lord, give us the wisdom to utter words that are gentle and tender, for tomorrow we may have to eat them.

Maybe the Dalai Lama is the only person who is totally honest, and even with him, he's skillful not to hurt anybody. He's skillful.

A dose of humility goes a long way in life and in politics.

Power is dangerous unless you have humility.

He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

What a different world this would be if people would listen to those who know more and not merely try to get something from those who have more.

If you are the master be sometimes blind, if you are the servant be sometimes deaf.

I am a big one for subtlety and empathy. My dad was softly spoken and didn't carry his honours and accomplishments for everyone to see.

Fair speech breaks never bone.

You've got to know when to keep your mouth shut. The Senate's the cruelest judge in the world. A man's a fool to talk to other fellows about any subject unless he knows more about that subject than they do.

He is the best of men who dislikes power.

Be not arrogant because of that which you know; deal with the ignorant as with the learned

I'm so tough and so bad, I can be humble and lift another guy up.

Never seem more learned than the people you are with. Wear your learning like a pocket watch and keep it hidden. Do not pull it out to count the hours, but give the time when you are asked.

Women deeply want men who are competent and powerful. And I don't mean power in that they can exert tyrannical control over others. That's not power. That's just corruption.

When strong, be merciful, if you would have the respect, not the fear of your neighbors.

I was trying to be very at ease in this arrogant person, and very worldly, but something human came into the part. I hate to say that. I wanted to be totally worldly.

Humility is a great quality of leadership which derives respect and not just fear or hatred.

If thou art a master, be sometimes blind; if a servant, sometimes deaf.

I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.

I think the associations people have with kindness are often things like meekness and sweetness and maybe sickly sweetness; whereas I do think of kindness as a force, as a power.

Don't fall in love with your wit. Your cleverly turned phrase may not, as you hope, show off how much gray matter you have, especially if the phrase is at someone else's expense.

Be wiser than other people if you can, but do not tell them so.