Ecclesiastes 10

1 Deadly flies spoil a perfumer’s sweet ointment, and a little wisdom is more precious than the great glory of folly. 2 A wise person’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart is at his left. 3 Even when a fool walks along the road, his heart fails him, and everything he thinks is folly. 4 If a ruler’s spirit rises against you, do not leave your place, because a remedy puts great sins to rest.

5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error that proceeds from the ruler: 6 the fool is placed in very high positions, while the rich sit in a low position. 7 I have seen slaves on horses and rulers walking on the ground like slaves.

8 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever tears down a wall will be bitten by a snake. 9 Whoever moves stones will be hurt by them, and whoever splits wood will be endangered by it. 10 If the iron falls off, the worker strains his face and must exert more strength; wisdom gives the courageous an advantage. [a] 11 If a snake bites before the charmer whispers, the charmer gains no advantage.

12 The words of a wise person’s mouth bring favor, but a fool’s lips swallow him up. 13 The beginning of the words from his mouth is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. 14 A fool multiplies words, though no one knows what has happened or what will happen. Who can tell him what will come after him? 15 The toil of fools exhausts them, like the toil of someone who does not know the way to the city.

16 Woe to you, city whose king is young and whose rulers feast in the morning! 17 Blessed are you, land whose king is a son of nobles and whose rulers eat at the proper time to gain strength and are not put to shame. 18 Through laziness the roof sags, and through idle hands the house leaks. 19 People prepare bread for laughter, and wine brings joy to the living, but everything will obey money. 20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the sky may carry your voice and a winged creature may report your words.