Honoring+Thy+Mother

Honoring Thy Mother

"Thou shalt never forget thy mother and what she has done for thee. For she carried thee long beneath her heart as a heavy burden, and after thy months were accomplished she bore thee. Three long years she carried thee upon her shoulder and gave thee her breast to thy mouth. She cleaned thy excrement and clothed thee, and kept watch over thee daily to guard thee from harm. As thy size increased her heart never once allowed her to say, 'Why should I do this?'

Great honor is due to thy mother, who bore thee with much suffering. She placed thee in the Chamber of Instruction that thou mightest acquire instruction in books. She was unremitting in her care for thee, and had loaves and beer for thee in her house. When thou art grown, cast thy eyes upon her that gave thee birth and provided all good things for thee, thy mother. Let her never reproach thee.

When you take a wife and are settled in thy house, pay attention to thy offspring; bring them up as thy mother did thee. When she ages, double the food thy mother gave you; support her as she supported thee. Do not give her cause to blame thee, lest she raise her hands to the gods and they hear her cries." - 15th century B.C.E. Egypt