Ancient Advice About Marriage

Instruction of Ptah-Hotep 40 Vizier of the Pharaoh Djedkare Isesi of the 5th dynasty, 25-24th century BCE If you marry a party girl, one known as fun-loving to her townsfolk, if she is rather unregulated, and indulges for a while, do not deny her, but let her enjoy herself; as a light heart makes for navigable waters. Advice from 4500 years ago. 37 If you marry an outgoing woman, {500} full of joy, loved by all, fickle and impulsive, never get rid of her; keep her well-fed. Her joy will become yours! I like this translation. “it would be wise of you to remember this”

The meme presents supposed ancient Egyptian marriage advice alongside a modernized translation about marrying a joyful, impulsive woman. The joke is that the ancient wisdom sounds remarkably like contemporary relationship advice, with the final line playfully suggesting that her happiness becomes your own. It is typically shared as a humorous reaction to advice about accepting a partner’s lively personality.

• @rzeczyzabawne / 20857 2025-06-18