The Burden of Folly

1Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil ferment and stink;a

so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

2A wise man’s heart goes to theb right,

but a fool’s heart to thec left.

3Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense,

and he shows everyone he is a fool.d

4If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your place,e

for calmness puts great offenses to rest.f

5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:

6The fool is appointed to great heights,g

but the rich remain in lowly positions.

7I have seen slaves on horses,h

but princes walking on the ground like slaves.i

8The one who digs a pit may fall into it,j

and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.k

9The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them;

the one who splits trees may be endangered by them.

10If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge,

then one must exert more strength;

however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.

11If the snake bites before it is charmed,l

then there is no advantage for the charmer.m

12The words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious,n

but the lips of a fool consume him.o

13The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly,

but the end of his speaking is evil madness.

14Yet the fool multiplies words.

No one knows what will happen,

and who can tell anyone what will happen after him?p

15The struggles of fools weary them,

for they don’t know how to go to the city.

16Woe to you, land, when your king is a youthq

and your princes feast in the morning.

17Blessed are you, land, when your king is a son of nobles

and your princes feast at the proper time —

for strength and not for drunkenness.r

18Because of laziness the roof caves in,

and because of negligent hands the house leaks.

19A feast is prepared for laughter,

and wine makes life happy,s

and money is the answer for everything.t

20Do not curse the king even in your thoughts,u

and do not curse a rich person even in your bedroom,v

for a bird of the sky may carry the message,

and a winged creature may report the matter.