ABSTRACT
An Old Kingdom noble asserts that he 'saved the weak from the hand of him that was stronger than he' and that he 'held forth justice to the just.,35 Sirenp6wet, a nomarch of Elephantine in the Vlth dynasty, says:
Another feudal lord asserts not only that he had not deprived anyone of his possessions, but that he had never flogged anybody.37 An official who administered justice in the reign of Wal).- 'onkh Intef thus describes his conduct:
The famous XVI I Ith dynasty vizier Rekhmire' claims that he judged the petitioner impartially and did not turn his face (lit. temples) to rewards. He also maintains that he rescued the fearful from the froward. 39 Intef, another notable of the same period, describes himself as follows:
Menthwoser would have us believe that he was one who 'did not show partiality to the possessor of rewards.'41 King Akhthoi, in his 'instruction' to his son Merikere', gives the future king excellent advice on how to govern successfully, pointing out to him, among other things, that the under-payment or poverty of responsible officials is a fruitful source of corruption.
