1 D ead 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 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left.

3 E ven 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 rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses.

5 T here is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler:

6 F olly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place.

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

8 H e who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.

9 H e who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may be endangered by it.

10 I f the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.

11 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 shall swallow him up;

13 T he words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness.

14 A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?

15 T he labor of fools wearies them, For they do not even know how to go to the city!

16 W oe to you, O land, when your king is a child, And your princes feast in the morning!

17 B lessed 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 ecause of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks.

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

20 D o 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.