Wisdom and Folly in Daily Life
1 Dead flies make the perfumer’s oil give off a foul stench so a little foolishness outweighs wisdom and honor
2 The heart of the wise leans to the right but the heart of the fool leans to the left
3 Even as the fool walks along the road his heart lacks sense and he shows everyone that he is a fool
4 If the anger of a ruler rises against you do not leave your place calmness can quiet great offenses
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun like a mistake that comes from one in authority
6 Folly is set in many high places while the rich sit in low ones
7 I have seen slaves riding on horses while princes walk on the ground like slaves
8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake
9 Whoever quarries stones may be hurt by them and whoever splits logs may be endangered by them
10 If the iron is blunt and one does not sharpen the edge more strength must be used but wisdom helps to bring success
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed there is no profit for the charmer
12 The words of a wise mouth bring favor 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 one knows what is to come who can tell anyone what will be after him
15 The toil of a fool wearies him he does not even 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 Blessed are you O land when your king is noble and your princes eat at the proper time for strength and not for drunkenness
18 Through laziness the roof sinks in and through idle hands the house leaks
19 Bread is made for laughter and wine gladdens life and money answers everything
20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts and do not curse the rich in your bedroom for a bird of the sky may carry your voice and a winged creature may tell the matter