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¹ Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off an evil odor; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.² A wise man's heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool's heart toward the left.³ Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to every one that he is a fool.

⁴ If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for deference will make amends for great offenses.⁵ There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:⁶ folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.⁷ I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on foot like slaves.⁸ He who digs a pit will fall into it; and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.⁹ He who quarries stones is hurt by them; and he who splits logs is endangered by them.¹⁰ If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps one to succeed.¹¹ If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage in a charmer.

¹² The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.¹³ The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is wicked madness.¹⁴ A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?¹⁵ The toil of a fool wearies him, so that he does not know the way to the city.

¹⁶ Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!¹⁷ Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of free men, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!¹⁸ Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.¹⁹ Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.²⁰ Even in your thought, do not curse the king, nor in your bedchamber curse the rich; for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.