10:1 Dead flies cause the perfumer shemen (oil) to send forth a stinking savour: so does a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
10:2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
10:3 Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool.
10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, leave not your post; for yielding pacifies great offences
10:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceeds from the ruler:
10:6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
10:7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
10:8 He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whosoever breaks through a wall, a serpent shall bite him.
10:9 Whosoever quarries stones may be hurt by them; and he that splits wood shall be endangered by it.
10:10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
10:11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.
10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
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 is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
10:15 The labor of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city.
10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
10:17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
10:18 By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: but money answers all things.
10:20 Curse not the king, no not in your thought; and curse not the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.