Aa
The Burden of Folly
1Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil ferment and stink;10:1 Ex 30:25
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2A wise person’s heart goes to the10:2 Lit his right,
but a fool’s heart to the left.
3Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense,
and he shows everyone he is a fool.10:3 Pr 13:16; 18:2
4If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your post,10:4 Ec 8:3
for calmness puts great offenses to rest.10:4 1Sm 25:24–33; Pr 25:15
5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:
6The fool is appointed to great heights,10:6 Est 3:1; Pr 28:12; 29:2
but the rich remain in lowly positions.
7I have seen slaves on horses,10:7 Pr 19:10
but princes walking on the ground like slaves.10:7 Est 6:8–10

8The one who digs a pit may fall into it,10:8 Ps 7:15
and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.10:8 Am 5:19
9The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them;
the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
10If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge,
then one must exert more strength;
however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.
11If the snake bites before it is charmed,10:11 Jr 8:17
then there is no advantage for the charmer.10:11 Lit master of the tongue
12The words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious,10:12 Pr 10:32; 22:11; Lk 4:22
but the lips of a fool consume him.10:12 Pr 18:7
13The beginning of the words from his mouth is folly,
but the end of his speaking is evil madness;
14yet the fool multiplies words.
No one knows what will happen,
and who can tell anyone what will happen after him?10:14 Ec 8:7,17
15The struggles of fools weary them,
for they don’t know how to go to the city.
16Woe to you, land, when your king is a youth10:16 Pr 30:21–22; Is 3:4,12
and your princes feast in the morning.
17Blessed are you, land, when your king is a son of nobles
and your princes feast at the proper time —
for strength and not for drunkenness.10:17 Pr 31:4; Is 5:11
18Because of laziness the roof caves in,
and because of negligent hands the house leaks.
19A feast is prepared for laughter,
and wine makes life happy,10:19 Ps 104:15
and money10:19 Lit silver is the answer for everything.10:19 Ec 7:12
20Do not curse the king even in your thoughts,10:20 Ex 22:28
and do not curse a rich person even in your bedroom,10:20 2Kg 6:12; Lk 12:3
for a bird of the sky may carry the message,
and a winged creature may report the matter.