Chapter 10
1 More
weighty than wisdom or wealth is a little folly!
2 The
wise man's understanding turns him to his right;
the fool's understanding turns
him to his left.
3 When
the fool walks through the street, in his lack of understanding he calls
everything foolish.
4 Should
the anger of the ruler burst upon you, forsake not your place; for mildness
abates great offenses. 5 I have seen under the
sun another evil, like a mistake that proceeds from the ruler: 6 a fool put in lofty position while the rich sit in
lowly places. 7 I have seen slaves on horseback,
while princes walked on the ground like slaves.
8 He
who digs a pit may fall into it,
and he who breaks through a wall
may be bitten by a serpent.
9 He
who moves stones may be hurt by them, and
he who chops wood is in danger
from it.
10 If
the iron becomes dull, though at first he made easy progress, he must increase
his efforts; but the craftsman has the advantage of his skill. 11 If the serpent bites because it has not been
charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.
12
Words from the wise man's mouth win favor,
but the fool's lips consume him.
13
The beginning of his words is folly, and the end of his talk is utter madness; 14 yet the fool multiplies words. Man knows not what
is to come, for who can tell him what is to come after him?
15
When will the fool be weary of his labor,
he who knows not the way to the
city?
16
Woe to you, O land, whose king was a servant, and whose princes dine in the
morning! 17 Blessed are you, O land, whose king
is of noble birth, and whose princes dine at the right time (for vigor and not
in drinking bouts).
18 When
hands are lazy, the rafters sag;
when hands are slack, the house
leaks.
19 Bread
and oil call forth merriment and wine makes the living glad, but money answers
for everything.
20
Even in your thoughts do not make light of the king,
nor in the privacy of your
bedroom revile the rich.
Because the birds of the air may
carry your voice,
a winged creature may tell what
you say.
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