ANNI, SAPIENZA (MASSIMIE) of. - An Egyptian collection of gnomic sayings, akin in subject matter to the biblical sapiential books.
The text is found in a papyrus from the 22nd Dynasty (945-745 B.C.), now in the Cairo Museum. It was published by Mariette in the Papyrus de Boulaq (I, Paris 1871, pl. 16 ff.); the first translation with commentary was made by Chabas, followed by those of A. Erman in Die Literatur der Ägypter (1923), and by E. Suys. As in earlier collections, the writer A. addresses himself directly to his son, Choshotep, who in turn replies to his father according to the occasion. The whole work thus presents itself as a dialogue, the most important part of which consists of the father’s teachings on religion, morality, study, and conduct in business. This little book stands out from others of its kind by its more human spirit and loftier ideal.