1Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.
3Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place; for gentleness allays great offenses.
5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceeds from the ruler:
6folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth.
8He who digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall, a serpent shall bite him.
9Whoever quarries stones shall be hurt by them; and he who splits wood is endangered by it.
10If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, then he must put forth more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage in the charmer.
12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14A fool also multiplies words: yet man does not know what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
15The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he does not know how to go to the city.
16Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
17Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
19A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes glad the life; and money answers all things.
20Do not revile the king, no, not in your thought; and do not revile the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and what has wings shall tell the matter.