1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell,
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. |
2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of the fool to the left. |
3 Even as he walks along the road,
the fool lacks sense
and shows everyone how stupid he is. |
4 If a ruler's anger rises against you,
do not leave your post;
calmness can lay great errors to rest. |
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun,
the sort of error that arises from a ruler: |
6 Fools are put in many high positions,
while the rich occupy the low ones. |
7 I have seen slaves on horseback,
while princes go on foot like slaves. |
8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;
whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. |
9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them;
whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. |
10 If the ax is dull
and its edge unsharpened,
more strength is needed
but skill will bring success. |
11 If a snake bites before it is charmed,
there is no profit for the charmer. |
12 Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious,
but a fool is consumed by his own lips. |
13 At the beginning his words are folly;
at the end they are wicked madness- |
14 and the fool multiplies words. |
15 A fool's work wearies him;
he does not know the way to town. |
16 Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant1 10:16 Or king is a child
and whose princes feast in the morning. |
17 Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth
and whose princes eat at a proper time-
for strength and not for drunkenness. |
18 If a man is lazy, the rafters sag;
if his hands are idle, the house leaks. |
19 A feast is made for laughter,
and wine makes life merry,
but money is the answer for everything. |
20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts,
or curse the rich in your bedroom,
because a bird of the air may carry your words,
and a bird on the wing may report what you say. |
