1. Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil ferment and stink; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2. A wise man’s heart goes to the right,but a fool’s heart to the left.
3. Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense,and he shows everyone he is a fool.
4. If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your place, for calmness puts great offenses to rest.
5. There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:
6. The fool is appointed to great heights, but the rich remain in lowly positions.
7. I have seen slaves on horses, but princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8. The one who digs a pit may fall into it, and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9. The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them;the one who splits trees may be endangered by them.