1. Dead flies cause the ointment of the perfumer to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.
2. A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
3. Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
4. If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding allayeth great offences.
5. There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
6. folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
7. I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
8. He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a fence, a serpent shall bite him.
9. Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.
10. If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11. If the serpent bite before it be charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.
12. The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14. A fool also multiplieth words: yet man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?