Wisdom and Folly

¹ As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil,

so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

² A wise man’s heart inclines to the right,

but the heart of a fool to the left.

³ Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking,

and he shows everyone that he is a fool.

⁴ If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon^* your post,

for calmness lays great offenses to rest.^*

⁵ There is an evil I have seen under the sun —

an error that proceeds from the ruler:

⁶ Folly is appointed to great heights,

but the rich sit in lowly positions.

⁷ I have seen slaves on horseback,

while princes go on foot like slaves.

⁸ He who digs a pit may fall into it,

and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.

⁹ The one who quarries^* stones may be injured^* by them,

and he who splits logs endangers himself.

¹⁰ If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened,

more strength must be exerted,

but skill produces success.

¹¹ If the snake bites before it is charmed,

there is no profit for the charmer^*.

¹² The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious,

but the lips of a fool consume him.

¹³ The beginning of his talk is folly,

and the end of his speech is evil madness.

¹⁴ Yet the fool multiplies words.

No one knows what is coming,

and who can tell him what will come after him?

¹⁵ The toil of a fool wearies him,

for he does not know the way to the city.

¹⁶ Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth,

and whose princes feast in the morning.

¹⁷ Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles,

and whose princes feast at the proper time—

for strength and not for drunkenness.

¹⁸ Through laziness the roof caves in,

and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.

¹⁹ A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry,

but money is the answer for everything.

²⁰ Do not curse the king even in your thoughts,

or curse the rich even in your bedroom,

for a bird of the air may carry your words,

and a winged creature^* may report your speech.