1As dead flies cause the perfumer's ointment to stink [and] ferment; [so] a little folly [is more] rare than wisdom and] than honor. 2A man's heart [is] at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. 3Yes also, in the way a fool walks, his heart fails; and he says to all [that] he [is] a fool. 4If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place; for yielding quiets great sinners. 5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like a sin which comes from a ruler's presence; 6foolishness is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. 7I have seen servants on horses and princes walking as servants on the earth. 8He who digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaks a hedge, a snake shall bite him. 9Whoever removes stones shall be hurt with them. He who splits wood shall be endangered by it. 10If the iron is blunt, and he does not whet the edge, then he must put more strength to [it]. But wisdom [is] profitable to direct. 11Surely the snake will bite without enchantment; and a babbler [is] no better. 12The words of a wise mouth [are] gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow him. 13The beginning of the words of his mouth [is] foolishness; and the end of his talk [is] wicked madness. 14A fool also makes many words; a man knows not what they shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? 15The labor of fools wearies him, because he does not know [how] to go to the city. 16Woe to you, O land, when your king [is] a child and your leaders eat in the morning. 17Blessed [are] you, O land, when your king [is] the son of nobles, and your leaders eat in [due] time, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 18By slothfulness the building decays; and through lowering of the hands the house leaks. 19Bread [is] made for laughter, and wine makes merry; but silver answers all [things]. 20Do not curse a king, no, not in your thought; and do not curse the rich in your bedroom; for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.