1. Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth an offensive odor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.
2. A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart is at his left.
3. Also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
4. If the spirit of the ruler riseth against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offenses.
5. There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as 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 whoever breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9. Whoever removeth stones shall be hurt by them; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered by it.
10. If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11. Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
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 is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?