1 D ead flies cause the ointment of the perfumer to putrefy send forth a vile odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.

¶ Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: likewise a small act of folly unto him that is esteemed for wisdom and honour.

2 A wise man’s heart turns him toward his right hand, but a fool’s heart toward his left.

A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.

3 E ven when he who is a fool walks along the road, his heart and understanding fail him, and he says of everyone and to everyone that he is a fool.

Even when the fool walks by the way, he lacks prudence, and he says unto every one that he is a fool.

4 I f the temper of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place; for gentleness and calmness prevent or put a stop to great offenses.

¶ If the spirit of the ruler rises up against thee, do not leave thy place; for meekness pacifies great sins.

5 T here is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which proceeds from the ruler:

There is another evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceeds from the ruler:

6 F olly is set in great dignity and in high places, and the rich sit in low places.

Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich are seated in a low place.

7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking like slaves on the earth.

I saw slaves upon horses, and princes walking as slaves upon the earth.

8 H e who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever breaks through a fence or a wall, a serpent will bite him.

He that digs a pit shall fall into it, and whosoever breaks a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

9 W hoever removes stones or hews out will be hurt with them, and he who fells trees will be endangered by them.

Whosoever moves the stones shall have tribulation along with it, and he that cuts the firewood shall be endangered by it.

10 I f the ax is dull and the man does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps him to succeed.

If the iron is blunt, and he does not whet the edge, then he must put forth more strength, but the advantages of wisdom excel.

11 I f the serpent bites before it is charmed, then it is no use to call a charmer.

If the serpent bites without being enchanted, then the babbler is no more.

12 T he words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious and win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

¶ The words from the mouth of the wise man are grace, but the lips of the fool will swallow up himself.

13 T he beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is wicked madness.

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, though no man can tell what will be—and what will happen after he is gone, who can tell him?

The fool multiplies words and says, Man cannot tell what shall be, and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

15 T he labor of fools wearies every one of them, because he does not even know how to get to town.

The labour of the foolish wearies all of them because they do not know how to go to the city.

16 W oe to you, O land, when your king is a child or a servant and when your officials feast in the morning!

¶ Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes banquet in the morning!

17 H appy (fortunate and to be envied) are you, O land, when your king is a free man and of noble birth and character and when your officials feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness!

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 T hrough indolence the rafters decay and the roof sinks in, and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.

By much slothfulness the building decays, and through idleness of the hands the rain drips throughout the house.

19 m ake a feast for laughter, serve wine to cheer life, and money to answer for all of it.

The banquet is made for pleasure, and wine makes merry; but money answers all things.

20 C urse not the king, no, not even in your thoughts, and curse not the rich in your bedchamber, for a bird of the air will carry the voice, and a winged creature will tell the matter.

Do not curse the king, not even in thy thought; and do not curse the rich even in the secret place of thy bedchamber; for the birds of the air shall carry the voice, and those who have wings shall tell the matter.