1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking smell: so does a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.
2 A wise man' heart is at his right hand; but a fool' heart at his left.
3 Yes also, when he that is a fool walks by the way, his wisdom fails him, and he said to every one that he is a fool.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses.
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceeds from the ruler:
6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
7 I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth.
8 He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaks an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9 Whoever removes stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that splits wood shall be endangered thereby.
10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
12 The words of a wise man' mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
15 The labor of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city.
16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
17 Blessed 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!
18 By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house drops through.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: but money answers all things.
20 Curse not the king, no not in your thought; and curse not the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.
1 As dead flies cause the perfumers ointment to stink and ferment; so does a little folly to one esteemed for wisdom and honor.
2 A wise mans heart is at his right hand; but a fools heart at his left.
3 Even when a fool walks along the way, his heart fails; and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, remain quietly where you are; for quietness heals great offenses.
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which comes from a rulers presence:
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 on the ground like servants.
8 He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a hedge may be bitten by a snake.
9 Whoever removes stones may be hurt by them; and he who splits wood may be endangered by it.
10 If the iron is blunt, and he does not whet the edge, then he must exert more strength. But wisdom gives excellent success.
11 The snake may bite if it is not charmed; and a master of the tongue is no better.
12 The words of a wise mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow him up.
13 The words of his mouth begin with foolishness; and the end of his talk is wicked madness.
14 A fool also multiplies words; a man does not know what shall be; and who can tell him what shall be after him?
15 The labor of fools wearies him, because he does not even know how to go to the city.
16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your rulers eat in the morning.
17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your rulers eat at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 Because of laziness the building decays; and through idleness of hands the house leaks.
19 Food is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; but money is the answer to everything.
20 Do not curse the king, not even in your thoughts; and do not curse the rich, not even in your bedroom; for a bird of the air may carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.