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¹ Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; [so] does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.² A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart is at his left.³ Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to every one [that] he is a fool.

⁴ If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don't leave your place; for gentleness allays great offenses.⁵ There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceeds from the ruler:⁶ folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.⁷ I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking like slaves on the earth.⁸ He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall, a serpent shall bite him.⁹ Whoever cuts out stones shall be hurt therewith; [and] he that splits wood is endangered thereby.¹⁰ If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, then he must use more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.¹¹ If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then is there no advantage to the master of the tongue.

¹² The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.¹³ The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.¹⁴ A fool also multiplies words: [yet] man doesn't know what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?¹⁵ The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn't know how to go to the city.

¹⁶ Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!¹⁷ You are happy, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat 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 glad the life; and money answers all things.²⁰ Don't revile the king, no, not in your thought; and don't revile the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.