Ptahhotep Maxim 23: Speaking

It should be called the Maxim of shutting up. Because that's what it tells you to do. We've seen this opening line before. This bit:

It's written backwards. 

The sedge frond and the mouth "ir" = English "if" or "whereas" something similar to that.

The hare and the water zig-zag "wen" = English "exist " or any of the "to be" verbs.

When you see that rabbit in a cartouche you know immediately it means Wennis. Most spell it "Unis" and it puts you right in the fifth dynasty Old Kingdom. He comes up a lot.

The basket in the middle means "you" or "your" It also means "K" sound. 

The seated man with the door bolt over his head and "1" behind his back means "a man" 

The key grouping is the sedge frond next to the hillside over the mouth with a scroll determinative meaning something conceptual, the grouping means "iqr" for "excellence" or anything similar to "achievement."  

So then, "if you are a man of achievement/excellence" 

If you consult with your lord, then sit there and shut up. 

Valerain is a plant with sedative properties.

This is written by a person who has never done any hard physical work. Or he wouldn't value his own speaking so highly.

If you are an accomplished man
who sits in consultation with his lord,
collect your mind with respect to accomplishment:
your quiet, it is more effective than valerian.
You should speak only when you know your solution:
it is the craftsman who speaks in counsel.
Speaking is harder than any work:
the one who solves it is the one who subordinates it.

You notice Trump's cabinet does this when his meetings are shown on t.v. They must have internalized this maxim.