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

Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for 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 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 a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows 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 spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies 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 I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding 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, While the rich sit in a lowly place.

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

I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants.

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 wall will be bitten by a serpent.

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

He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may 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 ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.

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

A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different.

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, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;

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

The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving 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. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?

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

The labor of fools wearies them, For they do not even 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 you, O land, when your king is a child, And your princes 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!

Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, And your princes 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.

Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks.

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

A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything.

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, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.