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Wisdom and Folly

¹ As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.² A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.³ Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.

⁴ If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.⁵ There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler:⁶ Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.⁷ I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.⁸ He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.⁹ The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.¹⁰ If the ax is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill will produce success.¹¹ If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

¹² The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.¹³ The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.¹⁴ Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?¹⁵ The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.

¹⁶ Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth^(a), and whose princes feast in the morning.¹⁷ Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness.¹⁸ Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.¹⁹ A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.²⁰ Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech.