Ecclesiastes 10

1Dead flies make the perfumer’s oil stink—make it bubble;
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

2The heart of the wise inclines to the right;
the heart of the fool, to the left.

3Even when the fool walks along the road,
his heart is lacking,
and he tells everyone, “He is a fool.”

4If the ruler’s anger rises against you,
do not leave your place,
for calmness puts great offenses to rest.

5There is an evil I have seen under the sun,
like an error that goes out from the ruler:

6Folly is set in many high places,
while the rich sit in low places.

7I have seen servants on horses
and officials walking on the ground like servants.

8Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a snake.

9Whoever moves stones will be hurt by them;
whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.

10If the iron is dull
and one does not sharpen its edge,
one must use greater strength;
but wisdom has the advantage of bringing success.

11If a snake bites before it is charmed,
there is no advantage for the master of the tongue.

12The words from the mouth of the wise are gracious,
but the lips of a fool consume him.

13The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly,
and the end of his mouth is wicked madness.

14The fool multiplies words.
No one knows what will be;
and what will be after him—
who can tell him?

15The toil of fools wearies them,
for they do not know how to go to a city.

16Woe to you, O land, when your king is a youth
and your officials feast in the morning!

17Happy are you, O land, when your king is a son of nobles
and your officials eat at the proper time—
for strength, and not for drinking.

18Through laziness the roof sinks in,
and through slack hands the house leaks.

19They make bread for laughter,
and wine gladdens life,
and money answers everything.

20Even in your thoughts do not curse a king,
and in your bedroom do not curse the rich;
for a bird of the air may carry the sound,
and a winged creature may tell the matter.