10 Dead flies cause the ointment
of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly
him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. 2 A wise man's heart is at his right
hand; but a fool's heart at his left. 3 Yea 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 rise up
against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences. 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 whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt
therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. 10 If
the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to 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
labour 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 bedchamber:
for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall
tell the matter.