1 D ead flies cause a perfumer's perfume To send forth a stink; The precious by reason of wisdom -- By reason of honour -- a little folly!

2 T he heart of the wise at his right hand, And the heart of a fool at his left.

3 A nd also, when he that is a fool Is walking in the way, his heart is lacking, And he hath said to every one, `He a fool.'

4 I f the spirit of the ruler go up against thee, Thy place leave not, For yielding quieteth great sinners.

5 T here is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error that goeth out from the ruler,

6 H e hath set the fool in many high places, And the rich in a low place do sit.

7 I have seen servants on horses, And princes walking as servants on the earth.

8 W hoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And whoso is breaking a hedge, a serpent biteth him.

9 W hoso is removing stones is grieved by them, Whoso is cleaving trees endangered by them.

10 I f the iron hath been blunt, And he the face hath not sharpened, Then doth he increase strength, And wisdom advantageous to make right.

11 I f the serpent biteth without enchantment, Then there is no advantage to a master of the tongue.

12 W ords of the mouth of the wise gracious, And the lips of a fool swallow him up.

13 T he beginning of the words of his mouth folly, And the latter end of his mouth mischievous madness.

14 A nd the fool multiplieth words: `Man knoweth not that which is, And that which is after him, who doth declare to him?'

15 T he labour of the foolish wearieth him, In that he hath not known to go unto the city.

16 W o to thee, O land, when thy king a youth, And thy princes do eat in the morning.

17 H appy art thou, O land, When thy king a son of freemen, And thy princes do eat in due season, For might, and not for drunkenness.

18 B y slothfulness is the wall brought low, And by idleness of the hands doth the house drop.

19 F or mirth they are making a feast, And wine maketh life joyful, And the silver answereth with all.

20 E ven in thy mind a king revile not, And in the inner parts of thy bed-chamber Revile not the rich: For a fowl of the heavens causeth the voice to go, And a possessor of wings declareth the word.