1 D ead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.

2 A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left.

3 E ven when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.

4 I f the ruler’s temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.

5 T here is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler—

6 f olly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.

7 I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.

8 H e who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall.

9 H e who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.

10 I f the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

11 I f the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

12 W ords from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him;

13 t he beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness.

14 Y et the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?

15 T he toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city.

16 W oe to you, O land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning.

17 B lessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time—for strength and not for drunkenness.

18 T hrough indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks.

19 M en prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything.

20 F urthermore, in your bedchamber do not curse a king, and in your sleeping rooms do not curse a rich man, for a bird of the heavens will carry the sound and the winged creature will make the matter known.