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.

1 几只死苍蝇能使做香料者的膏油发霉变臭， 一点点愚昧比智慧和荣誉的影响更大。

2 智慧人的心向右， 愚昧人的心偏左。

3 愚昧人连走路的时候， 也显出无知； 他对每一个人表现出他是个愚昧人（"他对每一个人表现出他是个愚昧人"或译： "他称每一个人都是愚昧的"）。

4 如果掌权者向你发怒， 你不要离开原位， 因为柔顺能免大过。

5 在日光之下我看见一件憾事， 好像是出于官长无意的错误，

6 就是愚昧人得居众多高位， 富有的人却处卑位。

7 我见过奴仆骑马， 贵族却像奴仆一样在地上步行。

8 挖陷阱的， 自己掉进去； 拆墙垣的， 有蛇来咬他。

9 采石的， 被石打伤； 劈柴的， 被柴损害。

10 斧头若钝了， 还不把斧刃磨快， 就必多费力气； 智慧的好处在于助人成功。

11 未行法术先被蛇咬， 那么， 法术对行法术的人就毫无用处。

12 智慧人的口， 说出恩言； 愚昧人的嘴， 却吞灭自己。

13 愚昧人的话开头是愚昧， 结尾是邪恶狂妄。

14 愚昧人多言多语。人不知道将来会有什么事， 谁能告诉他死后会发生什么事呢？

15 愚昧人的劳碌徒使自己困乏， 他连怎样进城也不知道。

16 邦国啊， 如果你的王是个孩童， 而你的大臣又一早吃喝宴乐， 你就有祸了。

17 邦国啊， 如果你的王是贵冑之子， 而你的大臣又按时吃喝， 为要得力， 不为醉酒， 你就有福了。

18 房顶塌下是因为懒惰， 房屋滴漏是因为懒得动手。

19 设宴是为欢笑， 酒能使人生快活， 金钱能解决万事。

20 不要在意念中咒骂君王， 也不要在卧房中咒骂财主， 因为空中的飞鸟会传声， 有翅膀的会述说这事。