Ecclesiastes 10
1As dead flies cause perfume to stink, 2 so a little folly can overpower wisdom and honor. 1
2The heart of a wise person tends to the right, 2 but the heart of a fool tends to the left. 1
3When a fool walks down a road, 2 his thinking is deficient, 3 proving to everyone he is a fool. 1
4If the emotions of a ruler rise up against you, do not leave your work. 2 Calm can quiet down great outrage. 1
5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, 2 a kind of error that comes from a ruler: 1
6Fools are given leadership positions, 2 while successful men are given low positions. 1
7I have seen slaves riding horses, 2 and successful men walking like slaves on the ground. 1
8Anyone who digs a pit 2 can fall into it, and whenever someone breaks down a wall, 2 a snake can bite him. 1
9Whoever cuts out stones 2 can be hurt by them, 1 and the man who chops wood 2 is endangered by it. 1
10If an iron blade is dull, and a man does not sharpen it, then he must use more strength, but wisdom provides an advantage for success. 1
11If a snake bites before it is charmed, 2 then there is no advantage for the charmer. 1
12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, 2 but the lips of a fool consume him. 1
13As words begin to flow from a fool's mouth, foolishness comes out, 2 and at the end his mouth flows with wicked madness. 1
14A fool multiplies words, 2 but no one knows what is coming. 2 Who knows what is coming after him? 1
15The toil of fools wearies them, 2 so that they do not even know the road to town. 1
16Woe to you, land, if your king is a young boy, 2 and if your leaders begin feasting in the morning! 1
17But blessed are you, land, if your king is the son of nobles, 2 and if your leaders eat at the right time, 2 for strength, and not for drunkenness! 1
18Because of laziness the roof sinks in, 2 and because of idle hands the house leaks. 1
19People prepare food for laughter, 2 wine brings enjoyment to life, 3 and money fills the need for everything. 1
20Do not curse the king, not even in your mind, 2 and do not curse rich people in your bedroom. 1 For a bird of the sky might carry your words; 2 whatever has wings can spread the matter.