Wisdom and Folly
1Deadfliescause the ointmentof the apothecaryto send fortha stinking savour:[so doth] a littlefollyhim that is in reputationfor wisdom[and] honour.2A wise man'sheart[is] at his right hand;but a fool'sheartat his left.3Yea also, when he that is a foolwalkethby the way,his wisdomfaileth[him], and he saithto every one [that] he [is] a fool.4If the spiritof the rulerrise upagainst thee, leavenot thy place;for yieldingpacifiethgreatoffences.
5There isan evil[which] I have seenunder the sun,as an error[which] proceedethfromthe ruler:6Follyis setin greatdignity,and the richsitin low place.7I have seenservantsupon horses,and princeswalkingas servantsupon the earth.
8He that diggetha pitshall fallinto it; and whoso breakethan hedge,a serpentshall bitehim.9Whoso removethstonesshall be hurttherewith; [and] he that cleavethwoodshall be endangeredthereby.10If the ironbe blunt,and he do not whetthe edge,then must he putto more strength:but wisdom[is] profitableto direct.11Surely the serpentwill bitewithout enchantment;and a babbleris no better.12The wordsof a wise man'smouth[are] gracious;but the lipsof a foolwill swallow uphimself.13The beginningof the wordsof his mouth[is] foolishness:and the endof his talk[is] mischievousmadness.14A foolalso is fullof words:a mancannot tellwhat shall be; and what shall be afterhim, who can tellhim?15The labourof the foolishweariethevery one of them, because he knowethnot how to goto the city.16Woeto thee, O land,when thy king[is] a child,and thy princeseatin the morning!17Blessed[art] thou, O land,when thy king[is] the sonof nobles,and thy princeseatin due season,for strength,and not for drunkenness!18By much slothfulnessthe buildingdecayeth;and through idlenessof the handsthe housedroppeth through.19A feastis madefor laughter,and winemaketh merry:but moneyanswerethall [things].20Cursenot the king,no not in thy thought;and cursenot the richin thy bedchamber:for a birdof the airshall carrythe voice,and that which hathwingsshall tellthe matter.
