42
NEGATIVE
CONFESSIONS
EGYPTIAN VIRTUES
42 LAWS OF MAAT/MA'AT
THE 42 IDEALS
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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
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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
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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
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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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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
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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
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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
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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
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