Eccl 10
1
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; [so] does a little
folly outweigh 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 the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says
to every one [that] he is a fool.
4
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for gentleness
allays great offences.
5
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceeds
from the ruler:
6
folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
7
I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth.
8
He who digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaks through a wall, a serpent shall
bite him.
9
Whoso hews out stones shall be hurt therewith; [and] he who cleaves wood is endangered
thereby.
10
If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength:
but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11
If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.
12
The words of a wise man`s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow
up himself.
13
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is
mischievous madness.
14
A fool also multiplies words: [yet] man knows not what shall be; and that which shall
be after him, who can tell him?
15
The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he knows not how to go to the city.
16
Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
17
Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in
due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18
By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
19
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes glad the life; and money answers all
things.
20
Revile not the king, no, not in your thought; and revile not the rich in your bedchamber:
for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell
the matter.