1. Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2. The heart of the wise is to his right, and the heart of the fool is to his left.
3. Even as the fool walks along the way, his heart lacks sense and tells everyone what a fool he is.
4. If a ruler’s spirit rises up against you, do not leave your post, for composure allays great offences.
5. There is a wrong I have seen under the sun like an error proceeding from a ruler.
6. Fools are placed in many high positions, while the rich sit in low ones.
7. I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8. Whoever digs a pit may fall into it, and whoever breaks through a fence may be bitten by a snake.
9. Whoever quarries stones may be hurt by them, and whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.
10. If the iron axe is blunt and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must exert more force. So wisdom has the advantage of giving success.