10
1 Dead
flies cause the
oil of the
perfumer to produce an evil odor;
so does a little
folly outweigh wisdom
and honor.
2 A
wise man’s heart
is at his right
hand,
but a fool’s
heart at his left.
3 Yes
also when the
fool walks by
the way, his
understanding fails him,
and he says to
everyone that he
is a fool.
4 If
the spirit of
the ruler rises
up against you,
don’t leave your
place; for gentleness lays
great offenses
to rest.
5 There
is an evil
which I have
seen under the
sun, the sort of
error which
proceeds from the
ruler.
6 Folly
is set in
great dignity, and
the rich sit
in a low
place.
7 I
have seen servants
on horses, and
princes walking
like servants on
the earth.
8 He who digs
a pit may
fall into it;
and whoever breaks
through a wall
may be bitten by
a snake.
9 Whoever carves
out stones may be injured
by them. Whoever splits
wood may be
endangered by it.
10 If
the ax is blunt,
and one doesn’t
sharpen the edge,
then he must
use more strength;
but skill brings
success.
11 If the
snake bites before
it is charmed,
then is there no
profit for the
charmer’s tongue.
12 The
words of a
wise man’s mouth
are gracious; but
a fool is
swallowed by
his own lips.
13 The
beginning of the
words of his
mouth is
foolishness; and
the end of
his talk is
mischievous madness.
14 A
fool also
multiplies words.
Man doesn’t know
what will be;
and that which
will be after
him, who can
tell him?
15 The
labor of fools
wearies every one
of them; for
he doesn’t know
how to go
to the city.
16 Woe to
you, land, when your
king is a
child,
and your
princes eat in the
morning!
17 Happy are
you, land, when
your king is
the son of
nobles,
and your
princes eat in due
season,
for strength, and
not for
drunkenness!
18 By
slothfulness the roof sinks
in;
and through
idleness of the
hands the house
leaks.
19 A
feast is made
for laughter,
and wine makes
the life glad;
and money is
the answer for
all things.
20 Don’t curse
the king, no, not
in your thoughts;
and don’t curse
the rich in
your bedroom,
for a bird
of the sky
may carry your
voice,
and that which
has wings may
tell the matter.