1Dead flies make the oil of the perfumer stink and ferment; a little folly is weightier than wisdom, than honor.
2The heart of the wise is at his right, but the heart of the fool at his left.
3And also in the way, when the fool walks, his heart lacks, and he says to all that he is a fool.
4If the spirit (ruach) of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place; for healing pacifies great offenses.
5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error that goes out from before the ruler:
6folly is set in great heights, and the rich sit in a low place.
7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth.
8He who digs a pit falls into it, and he who breaks through a wall, a serpent bites him.
9He who quarries stones is hurt by them; he who splits wood is endangered by them.
10If the iron is blunt, and he has not sharpened the edge, then he must increase strength; but the advantage of skill is wisdom.
11If the serpent bites without a charm, then there is no advantage to the master of the tongue.
12The words of a wise man's mouth are grace, but the lips of a fool swallow him up.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly, and the end of his mouth is evil madness.
14And the fool multiplies words; the man (adam) does not know what will be, and what will be after him, who can tell him?
15The labor of the fools wearies him, who does not know how to go to the city.
16Woe to you, O land, when your king is a youth, and your princes feast in the morning!
17Happy are you, O land, when your king is a son of nobles, and your princes eat at the proper time, in strength, and not in drunkenness!
18By laziness the rafters sink, and by lowliness of the hands the house leaks.
19For laughter they make bread, and wine gladdens life (chai); and money answers all.
20Also in your thought do not curse the king, and in the chambers of your bedchamber do not curse the rich; for a bird of the heavens carries the voice, and the master of wings tells the matter.