The 10 Virtues of the Kemetic (Ancient Egyptian) Mystery Teachings

In this book, Stolen Legacy, George James argues that “Greek philosophy is stolen Egyptian philosophy, which first spread to Ionia, thence to Italy and thence to Athens.” James notes in his introduction that the ancient Egyptians had developed a very complex spiritual system, called the Mysteries, which was also the first system of salvation. The Egyptian Mystery System was a Secret Order, and membership was gained by initiation and a pledge to secrecy. After the invasion by Alexander III of Macedon, the royal temples and libraries of Kemet were plundered and pillaged.

James argues that the Egyptian Mystery System contained ten virtues and that it is from this source that Plato derived what later became known as the four cardinal virtues: justice, wisdom (prudence), temperance, and courage.

The Ten Virtues:

1. Control of thought

2. Control of action

(Together these principles equalled Justice, the unswerving righteousness of thought and action.)

3. Steadfastness of purpose (equivalent to “Fortitude”: the kind of courage that does not allow adversity to turn us away from our goals.)

4. Identity with a spiritual life or the higher ideals (equivalent to “Temperance”: gaining conquest over the passionate nature.)

5. Evidence of having a mission in life.

6. Evidence of a call to Spiritual Orders (equivalent to Prudence [wisdom], a deep insight befitting the faculty of Seership.)

7. Freedom from resentment, when under the experience of persecution and wrong.

8. Confidence in the power of the master (as Teacher/Mentor). (“When the student is ready the teacher will appear.”)

9. Confidence in one’s own ability to learn.

10. Readiness or preparedness of the Ancient Mysteries of Egypt, including the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, and between the real and the unreal (a developed sense of values).

“Stolen Legacy” is one of the “must-read” African-Centered books, chosen by Runoko Rashidi.