¹ Dead flies cause a bad smell and ruin¹ the ointment of the perfumer. So also a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

1. Or “spew”

² The heart of the wise inclines to his right, but the heart of the fool inclines to his left.

³ Even when the fool walks along the road, he lacks sense; he tells everyone that he is a fool.

⁴ If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post, for calmness can undo great offenses.

⁵ There is an evil I have seen under the sun— it is an error that proceeds from a ruler!

⁶ The fool is set in many high places, but the rich sit in lowly places.

Accidents Happen—Even to Professionals

⁷ I have even seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the earth!

⁸ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. Whoever breaks through a wall, a snake will bite him.

Hard Work and Skill Alone Cannot Succeed—Wisdom is Necessary

⁹ Whoever ⌞quarries⌟¹ stones will be wounded by them. Whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.

1. Literally “breaks out”

¹⁰ If the ax is blunt but one does not sharpen its edge, ⌞he must exert more effort⌟,¹ but the advantage of wisdom is it brings success.

1. Literally “he must be more strength”

The Consequences of Foolishness

¹¹ If the snake bites before the charming, ⌞the snake charmer will not succeed⌟.¹

1. Literally “there is no advantage to the owner of the charm”

¹² The wise man wins favor by the words of his mouth, but the fool is devoured by his own lips.

¹³ He begins by saying what is foolish and ends by uttering what is wicked delusion.

¹⁴ The fool ⌞talks too much⌟,¹ for no one knows what will be. Who can tell anyone what will happen ⌞in the future⌟?²

1. Literally “increases words”
2. Literally “after him”

¹⁵ The fool is so worn out by a hard day’s work ⌞he cannot even find his way home at night⌟.¹

1. Or “for he knows not to go to a city”

¹⁶ Woe to you, O land, when your king is a youth and your princes feast in the morning.

¹⁷ Blessed are you, O land, when your king is a son of nobility and your princes feast at the proper time— to gain strength and not to get drunk.

¹⁸ Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through idleness of hands the house leaks.

¹⁹ ⌞Feasts are held for celebration⌟,¹ wine cheers the living, and money answers everything.

1. Literally “They make bread for laughter”

²⁰ Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich even in your own bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry your voice; a winged messenger may repeat your words.