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 apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: likewise a small act of folly unto him that is esteemed for wisdom and honour.

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 is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at 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 the fool walks by the way, he lacks prudence, and he says unto every one 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 spirit of the ruler rises up against thee, do not leave thy place; for meekness pacifies great sins.

5 T here is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error proceedeth 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 dignities, but the rich sit in a low place.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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 bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.

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; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself.

¶ 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 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 mischievous madness.

14 A nd the fool multiplieth words: man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will 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 labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.