"Year 16, third month of the second season, (occurred) his majesty's making the southern boundary as far as Heh. I have made my boundary beyond (that) of my fathers; I have increased that which was bequeathed to me. I am a king who speaks and executes; that which my heart conceives is that which comes to pass by my hand; (one who is) eager to possess, and [powerful] to [——]; not allowing a matter to sleep in his heart ... [attacking him who attacks], silent in a matter, or answering a matter according to that which is in it; since, if one is silent after attack, it strengthens the heart of the enemy. Valiance is eagerness, cowardice is to slink back; he is truly a craven who is repelled upon his border; since the Negro hearkens [to] the [——] of the mouth; it is answering him which drives him back; when one is eager against him, he turns his back; when one slinks back, he begins to be eager. But they are not a people of might, they are poor and broken in heart. My majesty has seen them; it is not an untruth. I captured their women, I carried off their subjects, went forth to their wells, smote their bulls; I reaped their grain, and set fire thereto. (I swear) as my father lives for me, I speaks in truth, without a lie therein, coming out of my mouth.Now, as for every son of mine who shall maintain this boundary, which my majesty has made, he is my son, he is born to my majesty, the likeness of a son who is the champion of his father, who maintains the boundary of him that begat him. Now, as for him who shall relax it, and shall not fight for it; he is not my son, he is not born to me.Now, behold, my majesty caused a statue of my majesty to be made upon this boundary, which my majesty made; in order that ye might prosper because of it, and in order that ye might fight for it."
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Sources
"Second Semna Stela", in J. H. Breasted, Records of Ancient Egypt, vol. 1 (1906) pp. 294–297
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Senusret_III
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Senusret III
Khakaure Senusret III (also written as Senwosret III or the hellenised form, Sesostris III; died c. 1839 BC) was a king of Egypt. He ruled from c. 1878 BC to c. 1839 BC during a time of great power and prosperity, and was the fifth king of the 12th Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom. He was a great king of the 12th Dynasty and is considered to rule at the height of the Middle Kingdom. Consequently, he is regarded as one of the sources for the legend about Sesostris. His military campaigns gave rise t
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