1Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor, [so] a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 2A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left. 3Yea also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone [that] he is a fool. 4If the spirit of the ruler rises up against thee, leave not thy place, for deference allays great offences. 5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceeds from the ruler: 6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. 7I have seen servants upon horses, and rulers walking like servants upon the earth. 8He who digs a pit shall fall into it, and he who breaks through a wall, a serpent shall bite him. 9He who hews out stones shall be hurt therewith, [and] he who splits wood is endangered thereby. 10If the iron be blunt, and he does not whet the edge, then he must increase strength. But wisdom is advantageous to make right. 11If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer. 12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool will swallow himself up. 13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 14A fool also multiplies words; [yet] man knows not what shall be, and that which shall be after him, who can tell him? 15The labor of fools wearies every one of them, for he knows not how to go to the city. 16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy rulers feast in the morning! 17Happy are thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy rulers feast in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 18By slothfulness the roof sinks in, and through idleness of the hands the house leaks. 19A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes glad the life, and money answers all things. 20Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought, and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber. For a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.