Ecclesiastes 10

1. Just as dead flies make perfumed oil stink, 1 so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

2. A wise man’s heart leads him rightly, 2 but a fool’s heart leads him astray;

3. and when a fool travels, he has no good sense, 3 thus showing everyone that he is a fool.

4. If a ruler gets angry at you, stay at your post, 4 because calmness soothes great offenses.

5. Another evil I have seen under the sun, 5 the kind of mistake rulers make, is that

6. fools are promoted to high positions, 6 while the rich occupy humble places.

7. I have seen servants riding horses, 7 while princes walk on foot like slaves.

8. He who digs a pit may fall into it; 8 he who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

9. He who quarries stones may get hurt by them, 9 he who chops wood puts himself in danger.

10. If the [hatchet’s] iron [blade] is blunt, 10 and [its user] doesn’t sharpen it, 10 he will have to exert more effort; 10 but the expert has the advantage of his skill.

11. If a snake bites before it is charmed, 11 the snake-charmer has no advantage.

12. The words spoken by the wise bring them favor, 12 but the lips of a fool swallow him up.

13. What he says starts with foolishness 13 and ends with wicked madness.

14. A fool keeps talking and talking, 14 yet no one knows what the future will bring — 14 can anyone tell a person 14 what will happen after he’s gone?

15. The efforts of a fool wear him out; 15 he doesn’t even know the way to town!

16. Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, 16 and your leaders start their parties in the morning!

17. Happy are you, land, when your king is well-born, 17 and your princes eat at the proper time, 17 in order to stay strong, not to get drunk!

18. When the owner is lazy, the roof sags; 18 when hands are idle, the house leaks.

19. Parties are made for having a good time, 19 wine adds cheer to life, 19 and money has an answer for everything.

20. Don’t insult the king, not even in your thoughts; 20 and don’t insult the wealthy, not even in your bedroom; 20 for a bird in the air might carry the news, 20 a creature with wings might repeat what you said.