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Ma’at Principles: The 42 Laws of Truth and the Principles of Cosmic Balance

Long before the Ten Commandments, the Ancient Egyptians lived by the 42 Principles of Ma'at. These were not a list of orders, but a declaration of innocence known as the "Negative Confessions." Upon death, every soul stood before 42 judges and recited these truths, proclaiming, "I have not stolen," "I have not lied," and "I have not polluted the water." These principles formed the ethical foundation of Egyptian society. Consequently, living by them was the only way to ensure your heart remained lighter than the Feather of Truth during the final judgment.

Goddess Ma’at Principles

There isn’t a single, definitive “full list” of Ma’at principles that was written down and numbered in ancient Egypt like a modern legal code. Instead, the principles are a comprehensive moral framework, best understood through the “Negative Confessions” from Chapter 125 of the Book of the Dead.

In this text, the deceased person would declare their innocence of a wide range of misdeeds before 42 divine judges in the Hall of Two Truths. By confessing that they did not commit these actions, they were essentially affirming that they did live by the principles of Maat.

This list is a full, detailed list of Ma’at principles, all the actions required to live in accordance with Ma’at. The principles can be broadly categorized as follows:

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Ma’at Principles “Full List”

  1. Hail, Usekh-nemmt, who comest forth from Anu, I have not sinned.
  2. Hail, Hept-khet, who comest forth from Kher-aha, I have not committed robbery with violence.
  3. Hail, Fenti, who comest forth from Khemenu, I have not stolen.
  4. Hail, Am-khaibit, who comest forth from Qernet, I have not slain men and women.
  5. Hail, Neha-her, who comest forth from Rasta, I have not stolen grain.
  6. Hail, Ruruti, who comest forth from Heaven, I have not purloined offerings.
  7. Hail, Arfi-em-khet, who comest forth from Suat, I have not stolen the property of God.
  8. Hail, Neba, who comest and goest, I have not uttered lies.
  9. Hail, Set-qesu, who comest forth from Hensu, I have not carried away food.
  10. Hail, Utu-nesert, who comest forth from Het-ka-Ptah, I have not uttered curses.
  11. Hail, Qerrti, who comest forth from Amentet, I have not committed adultery.
  12. Hail, Hraf-haf, who comest forth from thy cavern, I have made none to weep.
  13. Hail, Basti, who comest forth from Bast, I have not eaten the heart.
  14. Hail, Ta-retiu, who comest forth from the night. I have not attacked any man.
  15. Hail, Unem-snef, who comest forth from the execution chamber. I am not a man of deceit.
  16. Hail, Unem-besek, who comest forth from Mabit, I have not stolen cultivated land.
  17. Hail, Neb-Maat, who comest forth from Maati, I have not been an eavesdropper.
  18. Hail, Tenemiu, who comest forth from Bast, I have not slandered anyone.
  19. Hail, Sertiu, who comest forth from Anu, I have not been angry without just cause.
  20. Hail, Tutu, who comest forth from Ati, I have not debauched the wife of any man.
  21. Hail, Uamenti, who comest forth from the Khebt chamber, I have not debauched the wives of other men.
  22. Hail, Maa-antuf, who comest forth from Per-Menu, I have not polluted myself.
  23. Hail, Her-uru, who comest forth from Nehatu, I have terrorized none.
  24. Hail, Khemiu, who comest forth from Kaui, I have not transgressed the law.
  25. Hail, Shet-kheru, who comest forth from Urit, I have not been angry.
  26. Hail, Nekhenu, who comest forth from Heqat, I have not shut my ears to the words of truth.
  27. Hail, Kenemti, who comest forth from Kenmet, I have not blasphemed.
  28. Hail, An-hetep-f, who comest forth from Sau, I am not a man of violence.
  29. Hail, Sera-kheru, who comest forth from Unaset, I have not been a stirrer up of strife.
  30. Hail, Neb-heru, who comest forth from Netchfet, I have not acted with undue haste.
  31. Hail, Sekhriu, who comest forth from Uten, I have not pried into others’ matters.
  32. Hail, Neb-abui, who comest forth from Sauti, I have not multiplied my words in speaking.
  33. Hail, Nefer-Tem, who comest forth from Het-ka-Ptah, I have wronged none, I have done no evil.
  34. Hail, Tem-Sepu, who comest forth from Tetu, I have not worked witchcraft against the king.
  35. Hail, Ari-em-ab-f, who comest forth from Tebu, I have never stopped the flow of water of a neighbor.
  36. Hail, Ahi, who comest forth from Nu, I have never raised my voice.
  37. Hail, Uatch-rekhit, who comest forth from Sau, I have not cursed God.
  38. Hail, Neheb-ka, who comest forth from thy cavern, I have not acted with arrogance.
  39. Hail, Neheb-nefert, who comest forth from thy cavern, I have not stolen the bread of the gods.
  40. Hail, Tcheser-tep, who comest forth from the shrine, I have not carried away the khenfu cakes from the spirits of the dead.
  41. Hail, An-af, who comest forth from Maati, I have not snatched away the bread of the child, nor treated with contempt the god of my city.
  42. Hail, Hetch-abhu, who comest forth from Ta-she, I have not slain the cattle belonging to the god.
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The modern re-writing of the 42 Principles of Ma’at

I. Ethical and Moral Principles (General Conduct)

  1. I have not done wrong.
  2. I have not acted wickedly.
  3. I have not told lies.
  4. I have not stolen.
  5. I have not killed.
  6. I have not betrayed.
  7. I have not committed adultery.

II. Social and Interpersonal Principles (Conduct towards others)

  1. I have not caused suffering.
  2. I have not made anyone weep.
  3. I have not created distress.
  4. I have not been greedy.
  5. I have not shown disrespect to my parents.
  6. I have not shown contempt for the gods.
  7. I have not spoken ill of others.
  8. I have not gossiped.
  9. I have not slandered.
  10. I have not been arrogant.
  11. I have not been cruel.

III. Economic and Professional Principles (Fairness and Integrity)

  1. I have not robbed the poor.
  2. I have not cheated at the scales (I have not falsified weights).
  3. I have not stolen offerings from the temple.
  4. I have not taken milk from the mouth of a child.
  5. I have not taken food from the tomb of the deceased.
  6. I have not defrauded others.
  7. I have not polluted the water.
  8. I have not stolen from the land.
  9. I have not diverted water from its course.

IV. Spiritual and Religious Ma’at Principles (Reverence and Piety)

  1. I have not cursed a god.
  2. I have not interfered with sacred rites.
  3. I have not blasphemed.
  4. I have not desecrated the offerings of the gods.
  5. I have not harmed sacred animals.

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To the Ancient Egyptians, Ma’at was not just a goddess; she was the fundamental law of the universe. She represented truth, balance, and order. Her opposite was Isfet (chaos). Every soul faced judgment against her “Feather of Truth” in the afterlife. Furthermore, her 42 Principles (Negative Confessions) served as the moral foundation for the entire civilization, ensuring that cosmic harmony survived against the forces of darkness.

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