Ecclesiastes 10

1Dead flies make the perfumer’s oil stink and ferment; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

2The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.

3Even as the fool walks along the road, he lacks sense, and he tells everyone that he is a fool.

4If the ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post, for calmness can lay great offenses to rest.

5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error that comes from the ruler:

6folly is set in many high places, while the rich sit in low places.

7I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

8Whoever digs a pit may fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

9Whoever quarries stones may be hurt by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.

10If the ax is dull and one does not sharpen its edge, he must use more strength; but wisdom has the advantage of bringing success.

11If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.

12The words of a wise person’s mouth win favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

13The words of his mouth begin with folly, and his talk ends in wicked madness.

14The fool multiplies words, yet no one knows what will happen; who can tell anyone what will come after him?

15The toil of fools wears them out, for they do not even know the way to the city.

16Woe to you, land, whose king is a youth and whose princes feast in the morning!

17Blessed are you, land, when your king is of noble birth and your princes eat at the proper time, for strength and not for drunkenness!

18Through laziness the roof sags, and through idle hands the house leaks.

19Feasts are made for laughter, and wine makes life glad, and money answers everything.

20Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your voice, and a winged creature may report what you say.