1Dead[H4194]flies[H2070] cause the ointment[H8081] of the apothecary[H7543] to send forth[H5042] a stinking savour[H887]: so doth a little[H4592]folly[H5531] him that is in reputation[H3368] for wisdom[H2451] and honour[H3519].
2
A wise man's heart[H3820] is at his right hand[H3225]; but a fool's heart[H3820] at his left[H8040].
3
Yea also, when he that is a fool[H5530]walketh[H1980] by the way[H1870], his wisdom[H3820]faileth[H2638] him, and he saith[H559] to every one that he is a fool[H5530].
4
If the spirit[H7307] of the ruler[H4910] rise up[H5927] against thee, leave[H3240] not thy place[H4725]; for yielding[H4832]pacifieth[H3240]great[H1419]offences[H2399].
5
There is[H3426] an evil[H7451] which I have seen[H7200] under the sun[H8121], as an error[H7684] which proceedeth[H3318]from[H6440] the ruler[H7989]:
6Folly[H5529] is set[H5414] in great[H7227]dignity[H4791], and the rich[H6223]sit[H3427] in low place[H8216].
7
I have seen[H7200]servants[H5650] upon horses[H5483], and princes[H8269]walking[H1980] as servants[H5650] upon the earth[H776].
8
He that diggeth[H2658] a pit[H1475] shall fall[H5307] into it; and whoso breaketh[H6555] an hedge[H1447], a serpent[H5175] shall bite[H5391] him.
9
Whoso removeth[H5265]stones[H68] shall be hurt[H6087] therewith; and he that cleaveth[H1234]wood[H6086] shall be endangered[H5533] thereby.
10
If the iron[H1270] be blunt[H6949], and he do not whet[H7043] the edge[H6440], then must he put[H1396] to more strength[H2428]: but wisdom[H2451] is profitable[H3504] to direct[H3787].
11
Surely the serpent[H5175] will bite[H5391] without enchantment[H3908]; and a babbler[H3956] is no better[H3504].
12
The words[H1697] of a wise man's mouth[H6310] are gracious[H2580]; but the lips[H8193] of a fool[H3684] will swallow up[H1104] himself.
13
The beginning[H8462] of the words[H1697] of his mouth[H6310] is foolishness[H5531]: and the end[H319] of his talk[H6310] is mischievous[H7451]madness[H1948].
14
A fool[H5530] also is full[H7235] of words[H1697]: a man[H120] cannot tell[H3045] what shall be; and what shall be after[H310] him, who can tell[H5046] him?
15
The labour[H5999] of the foolish[H3684]wearieth[H3021] every one of them, because he knoweth[H3045] not how to go[H3212] to the city[H5892].
16Woe[H337] to thee, O land[H776], when thy king[H4428] is a child[H5288], and thy princes[H8269]eat[H398] in the morning[H1242]!
17Blessed[H835] art thou, O land[H776], when thy king[H4428] is the son[H1121] of nobles[H2715], and thy princes[H8269]eat[H398] in due season[H6256], for strength[H1369], and not for drunkenness[H8358]!
18
By much slothfulness[H6103] the building[H4746]decayeth[H4355]; and through[H1811]idleness[H8220] of the hands[H3027] the house[H1004] droppeth through[H1811].
19
A feast[H3899] is made[H6213] for laughter[H7814], and wine[H3196] maketh merry[H8055]: but money[H3701]answereth[H6030] all things.
20Curse[H7043] not the king[H4428], no not in thy thought[H4093]; and curse[H7043] not the rich[H6223] in thy bedchamber[H2315]: for a bird[H5775] of the air[H8064] shall carry[H3212] the voice[H6963], and that which hath[H1167]wings[H3671] shall tell[H5046] the matter[H1697].