Ecclesiastes

10 Dead flies cause to stink [and] ferment the oil of the perfumer,—More costly than wisdom or honour is a little folly.

2 The sense of the wise is on his right hand,—But the sense of the dullard on his left:

3 Yea even by the way as the foolish man walketh along his sense faileth him—and he telleth everyone that foolish is he!

4 If the spirit of a ruler riseth up against thee thy place do not leave,—for gentleness pacifieth such as have greatly erred.

5 Here was a misfortune I had seen under the sun,—a veritable mistake that was going forth from the presence of one who had power:

6 Folly placed in great dignity,—While the rich in a low place took their seat:

7 I had seen servants upon horses,—And rulers walking like servants on the ground.

8 He that diggeth a pit thereinto may fall,—And he that breaketh through a hedge there may bite him a serpent.

9 He that removeth stones may be hurt therewith,—And he that cleaveth wood may be endangered thereby.

10 If blunt be the iron and himself hath not sharpened the edge then much force must he apply,—but an advantage for giving success is wisdom.

11 If a serpent will bite unless he is charmed Then there is nothing better for him that owneth a tongue.

12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are pleasant,—But the lips of a dullard will swallow him up:

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly,—But the latter end of his speech is mischievous madness.

14 Yet a foolish man multiplieth words,—[Though] no man knoweth that which hath been, And that which shall be after him who can tell him?

15 The toil of dullards shall weary a man, That he knoweth not how to go into the city.

16 Alas! for thee, O land, when thy king is a boy,—And thy rulers in the morning do eat:

17 How happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles,—And thy rulers in season do eat, For strength and not for debauchery.

18 By two lazy arms the framework sinketh in,—And by the hanging down of the hands the house may leak.

19 Merrily people make bread, And wine gladdeneth life,—But money answereth all things.

20 Even in thy thought do not revile the king, Nor within thy bed-chambers revile thou the rich,—For a bird of the heavens might carry the voice, Yea an owner of wings might tell the matter.