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10:1  Just as dead flies give perfumes a foul smell, so a little folly can outweigh wisdom and honor.
10:2  The heart of a wise man inclines to the right; the heart of a fool inclines to the left.
10:3  Even when a fool walks down the road, he lacks sense and indicates to everyone how stupid he is.
10:4  If the anger of a ruler rises against you, do not leave your post, for calmness will mitigate grave offenses.
10:5  There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, a great error to which rulers are prone:
10:6  Fools are ensconced in a lofty position, while the rich sit in a lowly place.
10:7  I have seen slaves on horseback while princes walked on foot like slaves.
10:8  Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a snake.
10:9  Whoever quarries stones will be hurt by them, and whoever chops wood places himself at risk.
10:10  If an ax becomes dull from lack of sharpening, then one must exert greater strength, but skill helps one to succeed.
10:11  If a snake bites because it has not been charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
10:12  The words of a wise man win favor, but a fool’s tongue is his undoing.
10:13  The words a fool utters are grounded in stupidity, and they end in total madness.
10:14  A fool talks at great length, but no one knows what direction his words will take, and who can foretell what the future holds?
10:15  A fool quickly gets worn out by his labor, and he cannot even find his own way into town.
10:16  Woe to you, O country, when your king is a servant and your princes start feasting in the morning.
10:17  Blessed are you, O land, when your king is a nobleman and your princes feast at the proper time for strength and not for drunkenness.
10:18  Because of your negligence the roof begins to collapse, and when hands remain idle, the house leaks.
10:19  Feasts are designed for merriment, wine makes us cheerful, and money solves every need.
10:20  Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor revile the rich even in your bedroom; for a bird of the air may carry your voice, or a winged creature may repeat what you have said.