[1] A few dead flies in perfume make all of it stink, and a little foolishness outweighs a lot of wisdom. [2] Sensible thoughts lead you to do right; foolish thoughts lead you to do wrong. [3] Fools show their stupidity by the way they live; it's easy to see they have no sense. [4] Don't give up your job when your boss gets angry. If you stay calm, you'll be forgiven. [5] Some things rulers do are terribly unfair: [6] They honor fools, but dishonor the rich; [7] they let slaves ride on horses, but force slave owners to walk. [8] If you dig a pit, you might fall in; if you break down a wall, a snake might bite you. [9] You could even get hurt by chiseling a stone or chopping a log. [10] If you don't sharpen your ax, it will be harder to use; if you are smart, you'll know what to do. [11] The power to charm a snake does you no good if it bites you anyway. [12] If you talk sensibly, you will have friends; if you talk foolishly, you will destroy yourself. [13] Fools begin with nonsense, and their stupid chatter ends with disaster. [14] They never tire of talking, but none of us really know what the future will bring. [15] Fools wear themselves out- they don't know enough to find their way home. [16] A country is in for trouble when its ruler is childish, and its leaders party all day long. [17] But a nation will prosper when its ruler is mature, and its leaders don't party too much. [18] Some people are too lazy to fix a leaky roof- then the house falls in. [19] Eating and drinking make you feel happy, and bribes can buy everything you need. [20] Don't even think about cursing the king; don't curse the rich, not even in secret. A little bird might hear and tell everything.
