1 Dead flies make the perfumer's oil stink and ferment; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 The wise man's heart inclines to his right, but the fool's heart to his left.
3 Even as the fool walks along the road, he lacks sense, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4 If the ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post, for composure lays great offenses to rest.
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, a kind of error that proceeds from the ruler:
6 folly is placed in many high positions, while the rich sit in lowly places.
7 I have seen slaves on horseback, and princes going on foot like slaves.
8 One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a serpent.
9 One who quarries stones may be injured by them; one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
10 If the iron is dull and the edge is not whetted, more strength must be exerted; but wisdom is an advantage that brings success.
11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no gain for the charmer.
12 The words of a wise man's mouth win favor, but the lips of a fool devour him.
13 His talk begins in folly and ends in wicked madness.
14 The fool piles up words, yet no one knows what will happen; who can tell him what will come after him?
15 The labor of fools wears them out, since one of them does not even know the way to town.
16 Woe to you, land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning!
17 Happy are you, land, whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at the right time, for strength and not for drinking!
18 Through sloth the roof beams sink, and through idle hands the house lets in the rain.
19 Bread is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, and money meets every need.
20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich even in your bedchamber, for a bird of the air may carry your voice, and a winged creature may report what you said.