VIRTUES OF MAÁT

MAÁT: The symbolic representation of Maát as a human figure with outreached hands and wings, is the Netcher of the weighing of the soul in ancient Kemet. The heart of the deceased was believed to be the seat of the soul and it was weighed on the scale of the Netcher Maát, against a feather, which represented the principles of truth and righteousness (the seven cardinal virtues). This symbolic weighing of the heart against the feather of truth (Maát) was performed to established the righteousness of the deceased. The scale of Maát was balanced after the recitation of the "42" Declarations of Innocence or Admonitions of Maát. pg. 91, NVCTC.
The Neophyte or students ultimate aim in Kemet was for a person to become "One with God" or to "become like God." The path to the development of godlike qualities was through the development of virtue, but virtue could only be achieved through special study and effort. According to George G. M. James in his timeless work Stolen Legacy writes: The following of the 10 virtues were sought by the Neophyte in ancient Kemet. In the final analysis, the ancient Kemites sought Maát or to be more correct they sought to become one with Maát, the cosmic order.
(1). Control of thoughts
(2). Control of actions
(3). Devotion of purpose
(4). Have faith in the ability of [your] [teacher] to teach [you] the truth.
(5). Have faith in [yourself] to assimilate the truth
(6). Have faith in [themselves] to wield the truth
(7). Be free from resentment under the experience of persecution.
(8). Be free from resentment under the experience of wrong.
(9). Cultivate the ability to distinguish between right and wrong and
(10). Cultivate the ability to distinguish between the real and the unreal

"TRUTH IS LIKE LIGHTING WITH ITS ERRAND DONE BEFORE YOU HEAR

THE THUNDER"

Gerald Massey.

Principles of MAÁT

Truth

Justice

Harmony

Balance

Order

Reciprocity

Propriety

Admonitions of Maát

(Concepts for Living in Balance)

1

 I have not committed sin

2

 I have not committed robbery with violence

3

 I have not stolen

4

 I have not slain men and women

5

 I have not stolen food

6

 I have not swindled offerings

7

 I have not stolen from God

8

 I have not told lies

9

 I have not carried away food

10

 I have not cursed

11

 I have not closed my ears to truth

12

 I have not committed adultery

13

 I have not made anyone cry

14

 I have not felt sorrow without reason

15

 I have not assaulted anyone

16

 I am not deceitful

17

 I have not stolen anyone's land

18

 I have not been an eavesdropper

19

 I have not falsely accused anyone

20

 I have not been angry without reason

21

 I have not seduced anyone's wife

22

 I have not polluted myself

23

 I have not terrorized anyone

24

 I have not disobeyed the law

25

 I have not been excessively angry

26

 I have not cursed God

27

 I have not behaved with violence

28

 I have not caused disruption of peace

29

 I have not acted hastily or without thought

30

 I have not overstepped my boundaries of concern

31

 I have not exaggerated my words when speaking

32

 I have not worked evil

33

 I have not used evil thoughts, words or deeds

34

 I have not polluted the water

35

 I have not spoken angrily or arrogantly

36

 I have not cursed anyone in thought, word or deed

37

 I have not placed myself on a pedestal

38

 I have not stolen that which belongs to God

39

 I have not stolen from or disrespected the deceased

40

 I have not taken food from a child

41

 I have not acted with insolence

42

 I have not destroyed property belonging to God


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Last modified: August 7, 1997