Wisdom and Folly
1 Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce a bad odor,
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 A wise man’s heart leads to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.
3 Even when the fool walks along the road,
he lacks wisdom, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place,
for great offenses are laid to rest through a gentle response.
5 There is a tragedy which I have seen under the sun,
the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
6 Fools are set in great dignity,
but 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 does not 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 consumed by his own lips.
13 The beginning of his talk is foolishness,
but the end of his talk is evil madness.
14 The fool multiplies words.
Man does not know what will be,
and that which will be after him, who can tell?
15 The labor of fools wearies every one of them,
for he does not know the way to town.
16 Woe to you, land, when your king is a child
and your princes feast until morning!
17 Blessed are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles,
and your princes feast 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 everything.
20 Do not curse the king, no, not even in your thoughts,
and do not curse the rich in your bedroom,
for a bird of the sky may carry your words,
and that which has wings may repeat it.