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 at his left. 3: Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool. 4: If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don't leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest. 5: There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of 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 servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth. 8: He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 9: Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered thereby. 10: If the ax is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success. 11: If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer's tongue. 12: The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips. 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. Man doesn't know what will be; and that which will 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, land, when your king is a child, And your princes eat in the morning! 17: Happy are you, 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 the life glad; And money is the answer for all things. 20: Don't revile the king, no, not in your thoughts; And don't revile the rich in your bedchamber: For a bird of the sky may carry your voice, And that which has wings may tell the matter.
