Although the scribe Dua-Khety spends much time describing the shortcomings of other lines of work, he also reminds his son how he should behave at school. What do the father’s words of advice tell us about the values of Egyptian society?

What will be an ideal response?

The Teachings of Khety from around 2040–1648 BCE, a scribe admonishes his son and encourages him to become a scribe. He enumerates the drudgeries of the other professions, including that they all have supervisors over them and scribes have relative independence. Once he has made his case for his preferred career, he lays down principles, which his son should follow in carrying out his duties, such as reporting accurately what he is to write. This piece is interesting in that it provides a picture of life in Middle Kingdom Egypt as well as elucidating father-son relations and filial duties. Perhaps most surprising is how much the society in the Middle Kingdom reflects similar values of today regarding preferences for potential careers: clean, interesting, and independent.