1. Dead flies make a perfume maker's oil smell bad. So does acting a little foolish weigh more than wisdom and honor.
2. A wise man's heart leads him toward the right. But the foolish man's heart leads him toward the left.
3. Even when the fool walks on the road, he has little understanding and shows everyone that he is a fool.
4. If the ruler becomes angry with you, do not back away. If you are quiet, much wrong-doing may be put aside.
5. There is a sin I have seen under the sun, like a mistake done by a ruler:
6. Fools are put in many places of honor, while rich men sit in places that are not important.
7. I have seen servants riding on horses, and princes walking like servants on the land.
8. He who digs a deep hole may fall into it. And a snake may bite him who breaks through a wall.
9. He who cuts stones may be hurt by them. And he who cuts trees may be in danger by them.
10. If the ax is not sharp and he does not make it sharp, then he must use more strength. Wisdom helps one to do well.
11. If the snake bites before it is put under a man's power, it will not be of help to the man who would have power over it.
12. The words of a wise man's mouth are kind, but the lips of a fool destroy him.
13. The beginning of his talking is foolish, and the end of it is sinful and crazy.
14. Yet the fool speaks many words. No man knows what will happen. And who can tell him what will come after him?
15. The work of a fool makes him so tired that he does not even know the way to a city.
16. It is bad for you, O land, when your king is a child and your princes eat too much in the morning.
17. Happy are you, O land, when your king is from parents who have ruled, and your princes eat at the right time, for strength and not to get drunk.
18. When men are lazy, the roof begins to fall in. When they will do no work, the rain comes into the house.
19. Food is made ready to be enjoyed, wine makes life happy, but money is the answer to everything.
20. Do not curse a king even in your thoughts, and do not curse a rich man in your bedroom because a bird of the heavens will carry your voice and an animal with wings will make it known.