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10:1  Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: likewise a small act of folly unto him that is esteemed for wisdom and honour.
10:2  A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
10:3  Even when the fool walks by the way, he lacks prudence, and he says unto every one that he is a fool.
10:4  If the spirit of the ruler rises up against thee, do not leave thy place; for meekness pacifies great sins.
10:5  There is another evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceeds from the ruler:
10:6  Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich are seated in a low place.
10:7  I saw slaves upon horses, and princes walking as slaves upon the earth.
10:8  He that digs a pit shall fall into it, and whosoever breaks a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
10:9  Whosoever moves the stones shall have tribulation along with it, and he that cuts the firewood shall be endangered by it.
10:10  If the iron is blunt, and he does not whet the edge, then he must put forth more strength, but the advantages of wisdom excel.
10:11  If the serpent bites without being enchanted, then the babbler is no more.
10:12  The words from the mouth of the wise man are grace, but the lips of the fool will swallow up himself.
10:13  The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
10:14  The fool multiplies words and says, Man cannot tell what shall be, and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
10:15  The labour of the foolish wearies all of them because they do not know how to go to the city.
10:16  Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes banquet in the morning!
10:17  Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season for strength, and not for drunkenness!
10:18  By much slothfulness the building decays, and through idleness of the hands the rain drips throughout the house.
10:19  The banquet is made for pleasure, and wine makes merry; but money answers all things.
10:20  Do not curse the king, not even in thy thought; and do not curse the rich even in the secret place of thy bedchamber; for the birds of the air shall carry the voice, and those who have wings shall tell the matter.