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10:1  As dead flies cause the perfumer's ointment to stink, so also does a little foolishness to one's reputation of wisdom and honor.
10:2  A wise man's heart tends toward his right, but a fool's heart tends toward his left.
10:3  Furthermore, the way a fool lives shows he has no sense; he proclaims to everyone that he's a fool.
10:4  If your overseer gets angry at you, don't resign, because calmness pacifies great offenses.
10:5  Here's another tragedy that I've observed on earth, a kind of error that comes from an overseer:
10:6  Foolishness is given great honor, while the prosperous sit in lowly places.
10:7  And I have observed servants riding on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants.
10:8  Whoever digs a pit may fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall may suffer a snake bite.
10:9  Someone who quarries stone might be injured; someone splitting logs can fall into danger.
10:10  If someone's ax is blunt—the edge isn't sharpened— then more strength will be needed. Putting wisdom to work will bring success.
10:11  If a serpent strikes despite being charmed, there's no point in being a snake charmer.
10:12  The words spoken by the wise are gracious, but the lips of a fool will devour him.
10:13  He begins his speech with foolishness, and concludes it with evil madness.
10:14  The fool overflows with words, and no one can predict what will happen. As to what will happen after him, who can explain it?
10:15  The work of a fool so wears him out that he can't even find his way to town.
10:16  Woe to the land whose king is a youth and whose princes feast in the morning.
10:17  That land is blessed whose king is of noble birth, whose princes feast at the right time, for strength, and not to become drunk.
10:18  Through slothfulness the roof deteriorates, and a house leaks because of idleness.
10:19  Festivals are for laughter, wine makes life pleasant, and money speaks to everything.
10:20  Do not curse the king, even in your thoughts. Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom. For a bird will fly by and tell what you say, or something with wings may talk about it.