1Observations on wisdom and folly; 16on the defects and virtues of governors; 18on slothfulness; 19on money. 20Men's thoughts of kings ought to be reverent.
Quick Tip
Reading is great—but if you ever want to study, just tap a lightbulb
icon.
1aDEAD flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: 1so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
2A 1wise man's heart is at his right hand; but 2a fool's heart at his left.
3Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, ahis wisdom faileth him, and 1he saith to every one that he is a fool.
4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, 1leave not thy place; for 2yielding pacifieth great offences.
51There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth afrom the ruler:
61Folly is set ain great dignity, 2and the rich sit in low place.
71I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
8He that 1diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that 1cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
10If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but 1wisdom is profitable to direct.
11Surely 1the serpent will bite without enchantment; and aa babbler is no better.
12The 1words of a wise man's mouth areagracious; 2but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of ahis talk is mischievous madness.
141A fool also ais full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and 2what shall be after him, who can tell him?
15The 1labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
16¶ 1Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
171Blessed 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!
18¶ 1By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
19¶ 1A feast is made for laughter, and 2wine amaketh merry: 3but money answereth all things.
20¶ 1Curse not the king, no not in thy athought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for 2a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.