1 L as moscas muertas hacen heder y dar mal olor al perfume del perfumista; así una pequeña locura, al que es estimado como sabio y honorable.

Dead flies make a perfume maker’s oil smell bad. So does acting a little foolish weigh more than wisdom and honor.

2 E l corazón del sabio está a su mano derecha, mas el corazón del necio a su mano izquierda.

A wise man’s heart leads him toward the right. But the foolish man’s heart leads him toward the left.

3 Y aun mientras va el necio por el camino, le falta cordura, y va diciendo a todos que es necio.

Even when the fool walks on the road, he has little understanding and shows everyone that he is a fool.

4 S i el espíritu del príncipe se exaltare contra ti, no dejes tu lugar; porque la mansedumbre hará cesar grandes ofensas.

If the ruler becomes angry with you, do not back away. If you are quiet, much wrong-doing may be put aside.

5 H ay un mal que he visto debajo del sol, a manera de error emanado del príncipe:

There is a sin I have seen under the sun, like a mistake done by a ruler:

6 l a necedad está colocada en grandes alturas, y los ricos están sentados en lugar bajo.

Fools are put in many places of honor, while rich men sit in places that are not important.

7 V i siervos a caballo, y príncipes que andaban como siervos sobre la tierra.

I have seen servants riding on horses, and princes walking like servants on the land.

8 E l que hiciere hoyo caerá en él; y al que aportillare vallado, le morderá la serpiente.

He who digs a deep hole may fall into it. And a snake may bite him who breaks through a wall.

9 Q uien corta piedras, se hiere con ellas; el que parte leña, en ello peligra.

He who cuts stones may be hurt by them. And he who cuts trees may be in danger by them.

10 S i se embotare el hierro, y su filo no fuere amolado, hay que añadir entonces más fuerza; pero la sabiduría es provechosa para dirigir.

If the ax is not sharp and he does not make it sharp, then he must use more strength. Wisdom helps one to do well.

11 S i muerde la serpiente antes de ser encantada, de nada sirve el encantador.

If the snake bites before it is put under a man’s power, it will not be of help to the man who would have power over it.

12 L as palabras de la boca del sabio son llenas de gracia, mas los labios del necio causan su propia ruina.

The words of a wise man’s mouth are kind, but the lips of a fool destroy him.

13 E l principio de las palabras de su boca es necedad; y el fin de su charla, nocivo desvarío.

The beginning of his talking is foolish, and the end of it is sinful and crazy.

14 E l necio multiplica palabras, aunque no sabe nadie lo que ha de ser; ¿y quién le hará saber lo que después de él será?

Yet the fool speaks many words. No man knows what will happen. And who can tell him what will come after him?

15 E l trabajo de los necios los fatiga; porque no saben por dónde ir a la ciudad.

The work of a fool makes him so tired that he does not even know the way to a city.

16 A y de ti, tierra, cuando tu rey es muchacho, y tus príncipes banquetean de mañana!

It is bad for you, O land, when your king is a child and your princes eat too much in the morning.

17 B ienaventurada tú, tierra, cuando tu rey es hijo de nobles, y tus príncipes comen a su hora, para reponer sus fuerzas y no para beber!

Happy are you, O land, when your king is from parents who have ruled, and your princes eat at the right time, for strength and not to get drunk.

18 P or la pereza se cae la techumbre, y por la flojedad de las manos se llueve la casa.

When men are lazy, the roof begins to fall in. When they will do no work, the rain comes into the house.

19 P or el placer se hace el banquete, y el vino alegra a los vivos; y el dinero sirve para todo.

Food is made ready to be enjoyed, wine makes life happy, but money is the answer to everything.

20 N i aun en tu pensamiento digas mal del rey, ni en lo secreto de tu cámara digas mal del rico; porque las aves del cielo llevarán la voz, y las que tienen alas harán saber la palabra.

Do not curse a king even in your thoughts, and do not curse a rich man in your bedroom because a bird of the heavens will carry your voice and an animal with wings will make it known.