10:1 Dead1
flies2
make the perfumer’s ointment give off a rancid stench,3
so a little folly can outweigh4
much wisdom and honor.5
The Benefit of Wisdom Can Be Nullified By the Caprice of Rulers
10:2 The heart of the wise man is at his right-hand,6
but a fool’s heart is at his left-hand.7
10:3 Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks
sense,8
and he shows9
everyone what a fool he really is.
10:4 If the anger10
of the ruler rises against you, do not resign11
from your position;12
for a calm13
response can undo14
great offences.
10:5 I have seen another misfortune15
on the earth:16
it is the kind of error that an authoritative ruler makes.17
10:6 Fools18
are placed in many positions of authority,19
but wealthy men sit in lowly positions.
10:7 I have seen servants20
on horseback,
and princes walking on foot21
like servants.22
The Benefit of Wisdom Needed to Avert Dangers in Everyday Life
10:8 He who digs a pit may23
fall into it,
and he who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a serpent.24
10:9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them,
he who splits logs may be endangered by them.
10:10 If the iron ax-head is blunt and the workman
does not sharpen25
its edge,26
he must exert a great deal of unnecessary effort;27
thus wisdom has the advantage of giving success.
10:11 If the serpent should bite before it is charmed,28
the snake-charmer29
is in trouble.30
The Words and Works of Wisemen and Fools
10:12 The words of a wise man31
win him favor,32
but the words33
of a fool are self-destructive.34
10:13 At the beginning his words35
are foolish,
and at the end36
his talk37
is wicked madness.38
10:14 yet a fool multiplies words.39
No one knows what will happen;
Who can tell him what will happen in the future?40
10:15 The toil of a fool41
wears him out,42
because he does not even know the way to the city.43
The Problem with Foolish Rulers
10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is childish,44
and your princes feast in the morning!
10:17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is
the son of nobility,45
and your princes feast at the proper time46—with
self-control47
and not in drunkenness.
10:18 Because of laziness the roof48
sinks in,
and because of idle hands49
the house leaks.
10:19 Feasts50
are made51
for laughter,
and wine makes life merry;52
but money is the answer53
for everything.
10:20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts,
and do not curse people in authority54
in your bedroom chambers;
for the bird of the air might carry your voice,
or some winged creature55
might repeat your words.56