Ecclesiastes 10
1Dead flies
make
the perfumer's ointment
give off a stench;
so a little
folly
outweighs
wisdom and honor.
inclines him
to the right,
but a fool's heart
to the left.
3Even when
the fool walks
on the road,
he lacks sense,
and he says
to everyone
that he is
a fool.
4If the anger
of the ruler
rises against you,
do not leave
your place,
for calmness[a]
will lay
great offenses
to rest.
5There is
an evil
that I have seen
under the sun,
as it were
an error proceeding
from the ruler:
6folly is set
in many high places,
and the rich
sit in a low place.
7I have seen
slaves on horses, and
princes walking
on the ground
like slaves.
8He who digs
a pit
will fall into it,
and a serpent
will bite him
who breaks
through a wall.
9He who quarries
stones
is hurt by them,
and he
who splits logs is
endangered by them.
10If the iron
is blunt,and
one does not
sharpen the edge,
he must use
more strength,
but wisdom helps
one to succeed.[b]
11If the serpent
bites before
it is charmed,
there is
no advantage
to the charmer.
12The words
of a wise man's mouth
win him favor,[c]
but the lips
of a fool
consume him.
13The beginning
of the words
of his mouth
is foolishness,
and the end
of his talk
is evil madness.
14A fool
multiplies words,
though no man
knows what is
to be,
and who can tell
him what will be
after him?
15The toil
of a fool
wearies him,
for he does not
know the way
to the city.
16Woe to you,
O land,
when your king
is a child,
and your princes
feast
in the morning!
17Happy
are you,
O land,
when your king
is the son
of the nobility,
and your princes
feast
at the proper time,
for strength,
and not
for drunkenness!
18Through sloth
the roof
sinks in,
and through indolence
the house leaks.
19Bread
is made
for laughter,
and wine
gladdens life,
and money
answers
everything.
20Even in
your thought,
do not curse
the king,
nor
in your bedroom
curse the rich,
for a bird
of the air
will carry
your voice,
or some winged creature
tell the matter