[1] Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.
[2] A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left.
[3] Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool.
[4] If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses.
[5] There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler:
[6] Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place.
[7] I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants.
[8] He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.
[9] He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may be endangered by it.
[10] If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.
[11] A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different.
[12] The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;
[13] The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness.
[14] A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?
[15] The labor of fools wearies them, For they do not even know how to go to the city!
[16] Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, And your princes feast in the morning!
[17] Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, And your princes feast 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] A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything.
[20] Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.