Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench;
    so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
² A wise man's heart inclines him to the right,
    but a fool's heart to the left.
³ Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense,
    and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
⁴ If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place,
    for calmness^[a] will lay great offenses to rest.

⁸ He who digs a pit will fall into it,
    and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
⁹ He who quarries stones is hurt by them,
    and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
¹⁰ If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
    he must use more strength,
    but wisdom helps one to succeed.^[b]
11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed,
    there is no advantage to the charmer.

¹² The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor,^[c]
    but the lips of a fool consume him.
¹³ The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
    and the end of his talk is evil madness.
¹⁴ A fool multiplies words,
    though no man knows what is to be,
    and who can tell him what will be after him?
¹⁵ The toil of a fool wearies him,
    for he does not know the way to the city.

¹⁶ Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
    and your princes feast in the morning!
¹⁷ Happy 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!
¹⁸ Through sloth the roof sinks in,
    and through indolence the house leaks.
¹⁹ Bread is made for laughter,
    and wine gladdens life,
    and money answers everything.
²⁰ Even in your thoughts, 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.