Read the Bible

¹ Dead flies cause a bad smell and ruin^[a] the ointment of the perfumer.
    So also a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
² The heart of the wise inclines to his right,
    but the heart of the fool inclines to his left.
³ Even when the fool walks along the road, he lacks sense;
    he tells everyone that he is a fool.
⁴ If the anger of the ruler rises against you,
    do not leave your post,
    for calmness can undo great offenses.
⁵ There is an evil I have seen under the sun—
    it is an error that proceeds from a ruler!
⁶ The fool is set in many high places,
    but the rich sit in lowly places.
⁷ I have even seen slaves riding on horses
    and princes walking like slaves on the earth!

⁸ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it.
    Whoever breaks through a wall, a snake will bite him.
⁹ Whoever quarries^[b] stones will be wounded by them.
    Whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.

¹⁰ If the ax is blunt but one does not sharpen its edge,
    he must exert more effort,^[c]
but the advantage of wisdom is it brings success.
¹¹ If the snake bites before the charming,
    the snake charmer will not succeed.^[d]

¹² The wise man wins favor by the words of his mouth,
    but the fool is devoured by his own lips.
¹³ He begins by saying what is foolish
    and ends by uttering what is wicked delusion.
¹⁴ The fool talks too much,^[e]
    for no one knows what will be.
        Who can tell anyone what will happen in the future?^[f]
15 The fool is so worn out by a hard day's work
    he cannot even find his way home at night.^[g]
16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a youth
    and your princes feast in the morning.
¹⁷ Blessed are you, O land, when your king is a son of nobility
    and your princes feast at the proper time—
        to gain strength and not to get drunk.
¹⁸ Through sloth the roof sinks in,
    and through idleness of hands the house leaks.
¹⁹ Feasts are held for celebration,^[h]
    wine cheers the living,
        and money answers everything.
²⁰ Do not curse the king even in your thoughts,
    and do not curse the rich even in your own bedroom,
for a bird of the sky may carry your voice;
    a winged messenger may repeat your words.