Justice in Leadership
Those in authority must judge fairly and protect the vulnerable. Leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege, and will be judged by Ma'at.
Those in authority must judge fairly and protect the vulnerable. Leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege, and will be judged by Ma'at.
If you are a leader, be gracious when you hear the speech of a petitioner. Do not stop him from telling his heart.
Instructions of Ptahhotep
Written about in
- What ancient Egypt says about good and evil
Ptahhotep tells the official to let the petitioner finish speaking. Authority is judged by how it treats the person with least power in the room.
- What ancient Egypt says about what to say and what to leave unsaid
Most of the advice governs your own mouth; this maxim governs someone else's. A leader hearing a petitioner must not cut him off, because Ptahhotep claims a man who has emptied his heart leaves satisfied even when refused. Silence is also something you give.