Ecclesiastes 10

1. Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor; so doth a little folly in him that hath a reputation for wisdom and honor.

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 along the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to everyone that he is a fool.

4. If the ire of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy station; for yielding pacifieth great offenses.

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 lowly places.

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 through a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

9. Whoso removeth out stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

10. If the ax be blunt and one does not whet the edge, then must he put to it more strength; but wisdom is profitable to direct him.

11. Surely the serpent will bite if not charmed, 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 himself up;

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 labor 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 feast 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 leaks.

19. A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry; but money answereth all things.

20. Curse not the king, no, not even in thy thoughts, and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber; for a bird of the air shall carry thy voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.