10:1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honour.
10:2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.
10:3 Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.
10:4 If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post calmness can lay great errors to rest.
10:5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
10:6 Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.
10:7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
10:8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
10:9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.
10:10 If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.
10:11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
10:12 Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.
10:13 At the beginning his words are folly at the end they are wicked madness
10:14 and the fool multiplies words. No-one knows what is coming who can tell him what will happen after him?
10:15 A fool’s work wearies him he does not know the way to town.
10:16 Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant [Or king is a child] and whose princes feast in the morning.
10:17 Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time for strength and not for drunkenness.
10:18 If a man is lazy, the rafters sag if his hands are idle, the house leaks.
10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
10:20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.