Wisdom and Folly

1Dying flies ruin the sweetness of the ointment. Wisdom and glory is more precious than a brief and limited foolishness. 2The heart of a wise man is in his right hand, and the heart of a foolish man is in his left hand. 3Moreover, as a foolish man is walking along the way, even though he himself is unwise, he considers everyone to be foolish. 4If the spirit of one who holds authority rises over you, do not leave your place, because attentiveness will cause the greatest sins to cease.

5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, proceeding from the presence of a prince, as if by mistake: 6a foolish man appointed to a high dignity, and the rich sitting beneath him. 7I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking on the ground like servants.

8Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. And whoever tears apart a hedge, a snake will bite him. 9Whoever carries away stones will be harmed by them. And whoever cuts down trees will be wounded by them. 10If the iron is dull, and if it was not that way before, but has been made dull by much labor, then it will be sharpened. And wisdom will follow after diligence. 11Whoever slanders in secret is nothing less than a snake that bites silently. 12Words from the mouth of a wise man are graceful, but the lips of a foolish man will throw him down with violence. 13At the beginning of his words is foolishness, and at the end of his talk is a most grievous error. 14The fool multiplies his words. A man does not know what has been before him, and who is able to reveal to him what will be in the future after him? 15The hardship of the foolish will afflict those who do not know to go into the city. 16Woe to you, the land whose king is a boy, and whose princes consume in the morning. 17Blessed is the land whose king is noble, and whose princes eat at the proper time, for refreshment and not for self-indulgence. 18By laziness, a framework shall be brought down, and by the weakness of hands, a house shall collapse through. 19While laughing, they make bread and wine, so that the living may feast. And all things are obedient to money. 20You should not slander the king, even in your thoughts, and you should not speak evil of a wealthy man, even in your private chamber. For even the birds of the air will carry your voice, and whatever has wings will announce your opinion.