| 1 | Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink [and] ferment; [so] a little folly is weightier than wisdom [and] honour. |
| 2 | The heart of a wise [man] is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. |
| 3 | Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his sense faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool. |
| 4 | If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences. |
| 5 | There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error [that] proceedeth from the ruler: |
| 6 | folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place. |
| 7 | I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. |
| 8 | He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him. |
| 9 | Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby. |
| 10 | If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success. |
| 11 | If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage. |
| 12 | The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself. |
| 13 | The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. |
| 14 | And the fool multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will tell him? |
| 15 | The labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city. |
| 16 | Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! |
| 17 | Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, and thy princes eat in [due] season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! |
| 18 | By much sloth fulness the framework falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth. |
| 19 | A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh life merry; but money answereth everything. |
| 20 | Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter. |
