1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: [so does] 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 Yes also, when he that is a fool walks by the way, his wisdom fails [him], and he says to every one [that] he [is] a fool.

4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against youi, leave not youi place; for yielding pacifies great offences.

5 There is an evil [which] I have seen under the sun, as an error [which] proceeds 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 digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaks an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

9 Whoso removes stones shall be hurt with that; [and] he that cleaves 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 (to approve, commend, accept) 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 wears every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city.

16 Woe to youi, O land, when youi king [is] a child, and youi princes eat in the morning!

17 Blessed (Favored by God; happy; prosperous) [are] youi, O land, when youi king [is] the son of nobles, and youi princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

18 By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house drops through.

19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: but money answer all [things].

20 Curse not the king, no not in youi thought; and curse not the rich in youi bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.