42
NEGATIVE
CONFESSIONS
EGYPTIAN VIRTUES




42 LAWS OF MAAT/MA'AT

THE 42 IDEALS



BACK TO TOP



SECTION 1



42 LAWS OF MAAT
EGYPTIAN VIRTUES



Maat is the Ancient Egyptian Goddess of truth, balance and order.
She is most often depicted as a woman with wings or a single white
ostrich feather.


Ma’at is the Ancient Egyptian Goddess of truth, balance and order. She
is most often depicted as a woman with wings or a single white ostrich
feather. When the deceased go to the afterlife, the Egyptians believed
that their hearts would be weighed against this feather.

If the individual lived a good life, following the rules of ma’at, their
heart would be lighter than a feather and they would get to go to the
afterlife. However, if that individual did not follow the rules of ma’at,
they would have a heavy heart – weighed down by the guilt of their
transgressions. As a result, their heart would be devoured by Ammut and
the soul would be destroyed.

The laws of Ma’at are called the 42 Negative confessions and they were
revealed in the Egyptian Book of the Dead, or the Papyrus of Ani – a book
that was written more than 3,000 years ago.



THE 42 NEGATIVE CONFESSIONS

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




BACK TO TOP



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




BACK TO TOP



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




BACK TO TOP



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




BACK TO TOP



SECTION 2



TH 42
IDEALS




In recent years, a list of 42 ideals was written as a parallel to the
Negative Confessions. Some modern practitioners of the Ancient Egyptian
Ways like to repeat these 42 ideals in the morning and evening, as way
to encourage these ideals in themselves.

Chanting was an important part of spirituality in ancient Egypt. It
was believed that if you chanted something often enough, that the
words would become a part of your being. I guess there really is
something to encouraging positive thinking!




THE 42 IDEALS


1. I honor virtue

2. I benefit with gratitude

3. I am peaceful

4. I respect the property of others

5. I affirm that all life is sacred

6. I give offerings that are genuine

7. I live in truth

8. I regard all altars with respect

9. I speak with sincerity

10. I consume only my fair share




BACK TO TOP



11. I offer words of good intent

12. I relate in peace

13. I honor animals with reverence

14. I can be trusted

15. I care for the earth

16. I keep my own council

17. I speak positively of others

18. I remain in balance with my emotions

19. I am trustful in my relationships

20. I hold purity in high esteem




BACK TO TOP



21. I spread joy

22. I do the best I can

23. I communicate with compassion

24. I listen to opposing opinions

25. I create harmony

26. I invoke laughter

27. I am open to love in various forms

28. I am forgiving

29. I am kind

30. I act respectfully of others




BACK TO TOP



31. I am accepting

32. I follow my inner guidance

33. I converse with awareness

34. I do good

35. I give blessings

36. I keep the waters pure

37. I speak with good intent

38. I praise the Goddess and the God

39. I am humble

40. I achieve with integrity

41. I advance through my own abilities

42. I embrace the All



The 42 Laws of Ma’at (Egyptian Virtues)
https://metal-gaia.com/2013/08/08/the-42-laws-of-maat-egyptian-virtues/



World Religions Index
http://www.leaderu.com/wri-table2/intro.html




BACK TO TOP



MA'AT/MAAT INDEX

AFRICAN AMERICAN INDEX

ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLES INDEX

RELIGION INDEX

MIDDLE EAST INDEX

HOME

E-MAIL