Ecclesiastes Chapter 10
1 As dead flies cause the perfumer's ointment to stink and ferment, so a little folly is more rare than wisdom and than honor.
2 A man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left.
3 In the way a fool walks, his heart fails. He says to all that he is a fool.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place. For yielding quiets great sinners.
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like a sin that comes from a ruler's presence.
6 Foolishness is set in great dignity and the rich sit in a low place.
7 I have seen servants on horses and princes walking as servants on the earth.
8 One who digs a pit will fall into it. Whoever breaks a hedge, a snake will bite.
9 Whoever removes stones will be hurt with them. One who splits wood will be endangered by it.
10 If the iron is blunt and one does not whet the edge, then one must put more strength to it. But wisdom is profitable to direct.
11 Surely the snake will bite without enchantment, and a babbler is no better.
12 The words of a wise mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool will swallow him.
13 The beginning of the words of a fool's mouth is foolishness, and the end of such talk is wicked madness.
14 A fool also makes many words. No one knows what they will be and what will be after. Who can tell?
15 The labor of fools wearies because they do not know how to go to the city.
16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child and your leaders eat in the morning.
17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles and your leaders eat in due time for strength and not for drunkenness.
18 By slothfullness the building decays. Through lowering of the hands the house leaks.
19 Bread is made for laughter and wine makes merry. But silver answers all things.
20 Do not curse a king. No, not in your thoughts. Do not curse the rich in your bedroom. For a bird of the air will carry the voice and what has wings will tell the matter.