1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour : so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour .
2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand ; but a fool’s heart at his left .
3 Yea also , when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth 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 yielding pacifieth great offences .
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler :
6 Folly is set in great dignity , and the rich sit in low place .
7 I have seen servants upon horses , and princes walking 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 removeth stones shall be hurt therewith ; and he that cleaveth wood 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 babbler is no better .
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth 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 mischievous madness .
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 foolish wearieth 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 princes eat in the morning !
17 Blessed art thou , O land , when thy king is the son of nobles , and thy princes eat in due season , for strength , and not for drunkenness !
18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth ; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through .
19 A feast is made for laughter , and wine maketh merry : but money answereth 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 hath wings shall tell the matter .