1. A few dead flies will make even the best perfume stink. In the same way, a little foolishness can ruin much wisdom and honor.
2. The thoughts of the wise lead them the right way, but the thoughts of the foolish lead them the wrong way.
3. Fools show how foolish they are, just walking down the road. Their minds are empty, and everyone knows it.
4. Don’t quit your job simply because the boss is angry with you. If you remain calm and helpful, you can correct even great mistakes.
5. Here is something else that I have seen in this life that isn’t fair. It is the kind of mistake that rulers make.
6. Fools are given important positions, while the rich get jobs that are not important.
7. I have seen servants riding on horses, while rulers were walking beside them like slaves.
8. If you dig a hole, you might fall into it. If you break down a wall, you might be bitten by a snake.
9. If you are moving large stones, you might be hurt by them. If you cut down a tree, you are in danger of it falling on you.
10. But wisdom will make any job easier. It is very hard to cut with a dull knife. But if you sharpen the knife, the job is easier.
11. Someone might know how to control snakes. But that skill is useless if a snake bites when that person is not around.
12. Words from the wise bring praise, but words from a fool bring destruction.
13. Fools begin by saying something foolish. But in the end, they speak nonsense.
14. Fools are always talking about what they will do, but you never know what will happen. People cannot tell what will happen in the future.
15. Fools aren’t smart enough to find their way home, so they must work hard all their lives.