1Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so doth 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 . 3Yea also , when the fool walketh by the way , his understanding faileth him , and he saith to every one that he is a fool .
The Nature of Authority
4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee , leave not thy place ; for gentleness allayeth great offences . 5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun , as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler : 6folly is set in great dignity , and the rich sit in a low place . 7I have seen servants upon horses , and princes walking like servants upon the earth.
The Dangers of Laziness
8He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it ; and whoso breaketh through a wall , a serpent shall bite him . 9Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby. 10If the iron be blunt , and one do not whet the edge , then must he put to more strength : but wisdom is profitable to direct . 11If the serpent bite before it is charmed , then is there no advantage in the charmer .
The Power of Words
12The words of a wise man ’s mouth are gracious ; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness ; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness . 14A fool also multiplieth words : yet man knoweth not what shall be ; and that which shall be after him , who can tell him ? 15The labor of fools wearieth every one of them ; for he knoweth not how to go to the city . 16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child , and thy princes eat in the morning ! 17Happy 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 ! 18By slothfulness the roof sinketh in ; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh. 19A feast is made for laughter , and wine maketh glad the life ; and money answereth all things . 20Revile not the king , no, not in thy thought ; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber : for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice , and that which hath wings shall tell the matter .