1Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: [so does] a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom [and] honour. 2A wise man's heart [is] at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. 3Yes also, when he that is a fool walks by the way, his wisdom fails [him], and he says to every one [that] he [is] a fool. 4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against youⁱ, leave not youⁱ place; for yielding pacifies great offences.

5There is an evil [which] I have seen under the sun, as an error [which] proceeds from the ruler: 6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. 7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

8He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaks an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9Whoso removes stones shall be hurt with that; [and] he that cleaves wood shall be endangered thereby. 10If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom [is] profitable to direct. 11Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. 12The words of a wise man's mouth [are] gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow (to approve, commend, accept) up himself. 13The beginning of the words of his mouth [is] foolishness: and the end of his talk [is] mischievous madness. 14A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? 15The labour of the foolish wears every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city. 16Woe to youⁱ, O land, when youⁱ king [is] a child, and youⁱ princes eat in the morning! 17Blessed (Favored by God; happy; prosperous) [are] youⁱ, O land, when youⁱ king [is] the son of nobles, and youⁱ princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 18By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house drops through. 19A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: but money answer all [things]. 20Curse not the king, no not in youⁱ thought; and curse not the rich in youⁱ bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.