1Dead flies make the oil of the perfumer loathsome and corrupt; thus doth a little folly weigh down wisdom and honor.

2A wise man's mind is at his right hand; but a fool's mind is at his left.

3Yea, even when the fool walketh in the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

4If the anger of a ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place! for gentleness pacifieth great offences.

5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun; an error which proceedeth from a ruler.

6Folly is set in many high stations, and the noble sit in a low place.

7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants on foot.

8He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh down a wall, a serpent shall bite him.

9Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith, and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

10If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put forth more strength; but an advantage for giving success hath wisdom.

11If a serpent bite before he is charmed, then there is no advantage to the charmer.

12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool are his destruction.

13The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly, and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

14A fool also multiplieth words, though no man knoweth what shall be; and who can tell him what shall be after him?

15The labor of the foolish man wearieth him, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes feast in the morning!

17Happy thou, O land, when thy king is a noble, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

18By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and by the slackness of the hands the house leaketh.

19A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; but money answereth all things.

20Curse not the king; no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber! for a bird of the air shall carry the voice; and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.