✧Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor. ✧2A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left. ✧3Yes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool. ✧4If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest. ✧5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler. ✧6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. ✧7I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth. ✧8He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. ✧9Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it. ✧10If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success. ✧11If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue. ✧12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips. ✧13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. ✧14A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him? ✧15The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city. ✧16Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning! ✧17Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! ✧18By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks. ✧19A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things. ✧20Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.