1 D iqsiyadii dhintay saliidda cadarsameeyaha way qudhmiyaan, oo nacasnimadii yaruna saasoo kalay kan xigmadda loo sharfo u bi'isaa.

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

2 N inkii xigmad leh qalbigiisu xagga midigtuu u jeedaa, laakiinse nacaska qalbigiisu xagga bidixduu u jeedaa.

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

3 O o weliba kan nacaska ahu markuu jidka marayo wuu caqli yaraadaa, oo ku alla kii uu arkaba wuxuu u sheegaa inuu nacas yahay.

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

4 H addii taliyahu kugu dhirfo, meeshaada ha ka dhaqaaqin, waayo, qalbiqabowgu xumaano waaweyn wuu qabowjiyaa.

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

5 W axaa jira wax shar ah oo aan qorraxda hoosteeda ku arkay, waxaana weeye qalad taliyaha ka yimaada.

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

6 N acasnimadu waxay joogtaa meelo sarsare oo waaweyn oo taajiriintuna waxay fadhiyaan meel hoose.

folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.

7 W axaan arkay addoommo fardo fuushan, iyo amiirro sida addoommo oo kale lugaynaya.

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

8 K ii god qodaa isagaa ku dhici doona, oo ku alla kii deyr dumiyana abeesaa qaniini doonta.

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

9 K u alla kii dhagaxyo rujiyaaba wuu ku dhaawacmi doonaa, oo kii qoryo jejebiyaana isagaa khatar ku geli doona.

He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.

10 H addii birtu af beesho, oo aan la soofayn, waa in xoog badan lagu sii kordhiyaa, laakiinse xigmaddu faa'iido bay leedahay si loogu liibaano.

If 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 H addii abeeso wax qaniinto iyadoo aan la falfalin, markaas ka dib falfalowgu waxtar ma leh.

If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

12 K ii xigmad leh erayada afkiisu waa raxmad miidhan, laakiinse bushimaha nacasku isaga qudhiisay baabbi'iyaan.

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

13 E rayada afkiisa bilowgoodu waa nacasnimo, oo dhammaadka hadalkiisuna waa waalli baas.

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

14 N acasku hadalkiisa wuu badiyaa, waxa ahaan doona binu-aadmigu garan maayo, oo waxa dabadiis dhici doonana bal yaa u sheegi kara?

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

15 N acasyada hawshoodu midkood kastaba way daalisaa, maxaa yeelay, isagu xataa sida magaalada loo tago ma yaqaan.

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

16 D alkow, adaa iska hoogay, markii boqorkaagu ilmo yar yahay, oo amiirradaaduna ay aroortii wax cunaan!

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

17 D alkow, waad barakaysan tahay, markii boqorkaagu nin gobeed yahay, oo amiirradaaduna ay wakhti habboon wax u cunaan inay xoog ku yeeshaan ee aan ahayn inay sakhraamaan!

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

18 C aajisnimo badan saqafku waa ku dumaa, oo shuqulla'aanta gacmahana gurigaa ku darroora.

Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks.

19 D iyaafadda waxaa loo dhigaa qosol aawadiis, khamriguna naftuu u raaxeeyaa, oo lacagtu wax kastaba way ka jawaabtaa.

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

20 B oqorka ha ku caayin xataa fikirkaaga, oo taajirkana ha ku caayin qolladdaada jiifka, waayo, shimbir hawada duusha ayaa codkaaga qaadi doonta, oo wax baalal leh ayaa xaalka sheegi doona.

Furthermore, 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.