[1] Dead 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] Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool. [4] If the ruler's temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses. [5] There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler- [6] folly 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] He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall. [9] He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them. [10] 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] If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. [12] Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him; [13] the beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness. [14] Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him? [15] The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city. [16] Woe to you, O land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning. [17] 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] Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks. [19] Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything. [20] 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.
