10:1 Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor, so a little foolishness outweighs wisdom and honor.
10:2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left.
10:3 Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place, because healing rest great offenses.
10:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were, an error which proceeds from the ruler: 10:6 Folly is set in great dignity and the rich sit in a low place. 10:7 I have seen servants upon horses and rulers walking like servants upon the earth.
10:8 He who digs a pit will fall into it and he who breaks through a wall, a serpent will bite him. 10:9 He who hews out stones will be hurt with them and he who splits wood is endangered by them.
10:10 If the iron is blunt and he does not sharpen the edge, then he must increase strength. But wisdom is advantageous to make right.
10:11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage in the charmer.
10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool will swallow himself up. 10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
10:14 A fool also multiplies words; yet man does not know what will be and what will be after him, who can tell him?
10:15 The labor of fools wearies every one of them, for he does not know how to go to the city.
10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child and your rulers feast in the morning! 10:17 You are fortunate, O land, when your king is the son of noble men and your rulers feast in due season, for strength and not for drunkenness!
10:18 The roof sinks from laziness and the house leaks through idleness of the hands.
10:19 A feast is made for laughter and wine gladdens the life and money answers all things.
10:20 Do not revile the king, no, not in your thought and do not revile the rich in your bedroom. Because a bird of the heavens will carry the voice and what has wings will tell the matter.