1
Deadflies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour : so doth a littlefolly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
2
A wise man'sheart is at his right hand; but a fool'sheart at his left.
3
Yea also, when he that is a foolwalketh by the way, his wisdomfaileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
4
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yieldingpacifiethgreatoffences.
5
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedethfrom the ruler:
6
Folly is set in greatdignity, and the richsit in low place.
7
I have seenservants upon horses, and princeswalking as servants upon the earth.
8
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9
Whoso removethstones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleavethwood shall be endangered thereby.
10
If the iron be blunt , and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct .
11
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbleris no better.
12
The words of a wise man'smouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievousmadness.
14
A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
15
The labour of the foolishwearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
16
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princeseat in the morning!
17
Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princeseat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18
By much slothfulness the buildingdecayeth ; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through .
19
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry* : but moneyanswereth all things.
20
Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber* : for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hathwings shall tell the matter.