1Dead flies cause to stink, and putrefy the ointment of the apothecary: so doth a little folly him that is in estimation for wisdom, and for glory.
2The heart of a wise man is at his right hand: but the heart of a fool is at his left hand.
3And also when the fool goeth by the way, his heart faileth, and he telleth unto all that he is a fool.
4If the spirit of him that ruleth, rise up against thee, leave not thy place: for gentleness pacifieth great sins.
5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error that proceedeth from the face of him that ruleth.
6Folly is set in great excellency, and the rich sit in the low place.
7I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the ground.
8He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it, and he that breaketh the hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9He that removeth stones, shall hurt himself thereby, and he that cutteth wood, shall be in danger thereby.
10If the iron be blunt, and one hath not whet the edge, he must then put to more strength: but the excellency to direct a thing is wisdom.
11If the serpent bite, when he is not charmed: no better is a babbler.
12The words of the mouth of a wise man have grace: but the lips of a fool devour himself.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the latter end of his mouth is wicked madness.
14For the fool multiplieth words, saying, Man knoweth not what shall be: and who can tell him what shall be after him?
15The labor of the foolish doth weary him: for he knoweth not to go into the city.
16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning.
17Blessed art thou, O land, when thy King is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in time, for strength and not for drunkenness.
18By slothfulness the roof of the house goeth to decay, and by the idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
19They prepare bread for laughter, and wine comforteth the living, but silver answereth to all.
20Curse not the king, no not in thy thought, neither curse the rich in thy bed chamber: for the fowl of the heaven shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings, shall declare the matter.