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[1]Dead flies make the ointment of the perfumer fetid and putrid; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.
[2]A wise man's understanding is at his right hand; but a fool's understanding at his left.
[3]Yea also, when a fool walketh by the way, his understanding 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 gentleness allayeth great offences.
[5]There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which proceedeth from a ruler:
[6]Folly is set on great heights, 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 through a fence, a serpent shall bite him.
[9]Whoso quarrieth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.
[10]If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength; but wisdom is profitable to direct.
[11]If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then the charmer hath no advantage.
[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 grievous madness.
[14]A fool multiplieth words; yet man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?
[15]The labour of fools wearieth every one of them, for he knoweth not how to go to the city.
[16]Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a boy, and thy princes feast in the morning!
[17]Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a free man, and thy princes eat in due season, in strength, and not drunkenness!
[18]By slothfulness the rafters sink in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh.
[19]A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and 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.
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