In ancient Egypt, rhetoric had existed since at least the Middle Kingdom period (). The five canons of eloquence in ancient Egyptian rhetoric were silence, timing, restraint, fluency, and truthfulness. The Egyptians held eloquent speaking in high esteem. Egyptian rules of rhetoric specified that "knowing when not to speak is essential, and very respected, rhetorical knowledge", making rhetoric a "balance between eloquence and wise silence". They also emphasized "adherence to social behaviors that support a conservative status quo" and they held that "skilled speech should support, not question, society".
In ancient Egypt, rhetoric had existed since at least the Middle Kingdom period (). The five canons of eloquence in ancient Egyptian rhetoric were silence, timing, restraint fluency, and truthfulness. The Egyptians held eloquent speaking in high esteem. Egyptian rules of rhetoric specified that "knowing when not to speak is essential, and very respected, rhetorical knowledge", making rhetoric a "balance between eloquence and wise silence" They also emphasized "adherence to social behaviors that support a conservative status quo" and they held that "skilled speech should support, not question society".