Ecclesiastes 10

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

2A wise man's heart is to his right, but a fool's heart is to his left.

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

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

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

6Folly is placed in many high positions, while the rich sit in low positions.

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

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

9Whoever moves stones may be hurt by them, and whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.

10If the iron is dull and its edge has not been sharpened, more strength must be used, but wisdom has the advantage of bringing success.

11If the snake bites without a charm, there is no advantage for the charmer.

12The words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool swallow him up.

13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his speech is evil madness.

14And the fool multiplies words. A man does not know what will be, and who can tell him what will be after him?

15The labor of fools wearies him who does not know how to go to a city.

16Woe to you, O land, when your king is a youth and your princes eat in the morning.

17Happy are you, O land, when your king is a son of nobles, 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.

19A meal is prepared for merriment, wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.

20Even in your thoughts, do not curse a king, and in your bedroom do not curse a rich man, for a bird in the sky may carry the sound, and a winged creature may report the matter.