| 1 | As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. | |
| 2 | The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. | |
| 3 | Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is. | |
| 4 | If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest. | |
| 5 | There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: | |
| 6 | Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones. | |
| 7 | I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves. | |
| 8 | Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. | |
| 9 | Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. | |
| 10 | If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success. | |
| 11 | If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. | |
| 12 | Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips. | |
| 13 | At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness-- | |
| 14 | and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming--who can tell him what will happen after him? | |
| 15 | A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town. | |
| 16 | Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning. | |
| 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. | |
| 18 | If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks. | |
| 19 | A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything. | |
| 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. | |