Dead flies make athe perfumer’s ointment give off a stench;
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 aA wise man’s heart inclines him to the right,
but a fool’s heart to the left.
3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense,
and he asays to everyone that he is a fool.
4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, ado not leave your place,
bfor calmness will lay great offenses to rest.
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were aan error proceeding from the ruler: 6 afolly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7 aI have seen slaves bon horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8 He who adigs a pit will fall into it,
and ba serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9 aHe who quarries stones is hurt by them,
and he who bsplits logs is endangered by them.
10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
he must use more strength,
but wisdom helps one to succeed.
11 If the serpent bites before it is acharmed,
there is no advantage to the charmer.
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth awin him favor,
but bthe lips of a fool consume him.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
and the end of his talk is evil madness.
14 aA fool multiplies words,
though no man knows what is to be,
and who can tell him bwhat will be after him?
15 The toil of a fool wearies him,
for he does not know athe way to the city.
16 aWoe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
and your princes feast in the morning!
17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility,
and your princes feast at the proper time,
for strength, and not for adrunkenness!
18 Through sloth the roof sinks in,
and through indolence the house leaks.
19 Bread is made for laughter,
and awine gladdens life,
and bmoney answers everything.
20 Even in your thoughts, ado not curse the king,
nor in your bbedroom curse the rich,
for a bird of the air will carry your voice,
or some winged creature tell the matter.