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10:1  Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a foul odor; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
10:2  The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
10:3  Even when fools walk on the road, they lack sense and show to everyone that they are fools.
10:4  If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post, for calmness will undo great offenses.
10:5  There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as great an error as if it proceeded from the ruler:
10:6  folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.
10:7  I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on the ground 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 splits logs will be endangered by them.
10:10  If the iron is blunt and one does not whet the edge, then more strength must be exerted, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
10:11  If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage in a charmer.
10:12  Words spoken by the wise bring them favor, but the lips of fools consume them.
10:13  The words of their mouths begin in foolishness, and their talk ends in wicked madness,
10:14  yet fools talk on and on. No one knows what is to happen, and who can tell anyone what the future holds?
10:15  The toil of fools wears them out, for they do not even know the way to town.
10:16  Alas for you, O land, when your king is a child and your princes feast in the morning!
10:17  Happy 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  Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.
10:19  Feasts are made for laughter, wine gladdens life, and money meets every need.
10:20  Do not curse the king, even in your thoughts, or curse the rich, even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.