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¹ Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth an offensive odor: [so doth] a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom [and] honor.² A wise man's heart [is] at his right hand; but a fool's heart [is] at his left.³ Also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he [is] a fool.

⁴ If the spirit of the ruler riseth against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offenses.⁵ There is an evil [which] I have seen under the sun, as an error [which] proceedeth from the ruler:⁶ Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.⁷ I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.⁸ He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.⁹ Whoever removeth stones shall be hurt by them; [and] he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered by it.¹⁰ If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom [is] profitable to direct.¹¹ Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

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 is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?¹⁵ The labor of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

¹⁶ Woe to thee, O land, when thy king [is] a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!¹⁷ Blessed [art] thou, O land, when thy king [is] the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!¹⁸ By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.¹⁹ A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all [things].²⁰ Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber: for a bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.