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A nation and a religion can be judged fairly accurately by the ethics enjoined for personal conduct. What were the ideals in life of an Egyptian nobleman are well stated on this funeral monument of Beka. He seems to have been “The Great Steward of the Public Treasury” — an office very similar to that of the Hebrew Joseph — and claims (or his heirs claim for him) to have led a completely virtuous life. Making due allowances for the complacent tone of the inscription, the ideals to which the Beka announces he has conformed give the impression that at its best the Egyptian conception of practical righteousness was high indeed.
A royal gift of offerings, to the person of the Steward of the Public Granary, BEKA the “justified.”2
He says,
I myself was just and true, without malice, having put God in my heart, and having been quick to discern his will.
I have reached the city of those who are in eternity. Good have I wrought upon earth: prejudice I have not harbored; wickedness I have not done: I have not condoned any iniquity: I have rejoiced to speak the truth.
I have perceived the advantage of doing thus righteously upon the earth from my infancy even unto the tomb. My sure defense shall be to speak the truth in the day when I reach the divine judges [the forty-two assessors of Osiris, the god of the hereafter], discoverers of all actions, the chastisers of all sin.
Pure is my soul. While living I bore no malice.
There are no errors to be laid to my door, no sins of mine are to be laid before the judges. I come out of this trial [vindicated] with the help of truth: and behold I am in the 19 place of the just. [And then the Steward is made to boast of his various virtues while on earth, e.g.:]
I have not made myself a tyrant over the lowly.
I have done no harm to men who honored the gods.
I was in favor with the King, and beloved by great ones around him.
The men of the future will be charmed by my remarkable merits.
My sincerity and goodness were in the heart of my father and mother: my affection was centered (?) upon them.
Though a great man, yet have I acted as if I had been a little one. 3
My mouth has always been opened to utter true things, not to ferment quarrels.
I have repeated what I have heard, just as it was told me.
1 This is a series of books edited by Professor A. H. Sayce and published in London. It should not be confused with the monthly magazine of the same name published in Washington.
2 I.e. he is among the blessed dead.
3 I.e. I have acted humbly.