10:1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

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 ax 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 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.