1 D ead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink ferment; a little folly is weightier than wisdom honour.

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

2 T he heart of a wise is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.

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

3 Y ea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his sense faileth, and he saith to every one he is a fool.

Even 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.

4 I f the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences.

If 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.

5 T here is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error proceedeth from the ruler:

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

6 f olly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place.

Folly is set in great dignity and in high places, and the rich sit in low places.

7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

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

8 H e that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him.

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

9 W hoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.

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

10 I f the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success.

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

11 I f the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.

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

12 T he words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself.

The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious and win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

13 T he beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is wicked madness.

14 A nd the fool multiplieth words: man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will tell him?

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?

15 T he labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city.

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

16 W oe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!

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

17 H appy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, and thy princes eat in season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

Happy (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!

18 B y much sloth fulness the framework falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth.

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

19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh life merry; but money answereth everything.

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

20 C urse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.

Curse 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.