1.
Dying flies make putrid and foamy the oil of a perfumer; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
2.
The heart of the wise man is at his right, whereas the heart of the fool is at his left.
3.
Also on the road, when a fool walks, his understanding is lacking, and he says to all that he is a fool.
4.
If the spirit of the Ruler ascends upon you, do not leave your place, for a cure assuages great sins.
5.
There is an evil that I saw under the sun, like an error that goes forth from before the ruler.
6.
Folly was set at great heights, and the rich sit in a low place.
7.
I saw slaves on horses and princes walking like slaves on the ground.
8.
One who digs a pit shall fall therein, and one who breaks a fence-a snake shall bite him.
9.
One who quarries stones shall be wearied by them; one who hews wood shall be warmed by it.
10.
If the iron is dull, and he did not sharpen the edge, it [still] strengthens the armies, but wisdom has a greater advantage.
11.
If the snake bites, it is because it was not charmed, and there is no advantage to one who has a tongue.
12.
The words of a wise man's mouth [find] favor, but a fool's lips will destroy him.
13.
The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly, and the end of his speech is grievous madness.
14.
And the fool increases words; a man does not know what will be, and what will be behind him, who will tell him?
15.
The toil of the fools wearies him, for he does not know to go to the city.
16.
Woe to you, O land whose king is a lad, and your princes eat in the morning.
17.
Fortunate are you, O land, whose king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat at the proper time, in might and not in drinking.
18.
Through laziness the rafter sinks, and with idleness of the hands the house leaks.
19.
On joyous occasions, a feast is made, and wine gladdens the living, and money answers everything.
20.
Even in your thought, you shall not curse a king, nor in your bedrooms shall you curse a wealthy man, for the bird of the heaven shall carry the voice, and the winged creature will tell the matter.
