Ecclesiastes 10:1-4

New King James Version

10 Dead^[a] flies ^[b]putrefy the perfumer’s ointment,
And cause it to give off a foul odor;
So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.
² A wise man’s heart is at his right hand,
But a fool’s heart at his left.
³ Even when a fool walks along the way,
He lacks wisdom,
^(A)And he shows everyone that he is a fool.
⁴ If the spirit of the ruler rises against you,
^(B)Do not leave your post;
For ^(C)conciliation^[c] pacifies great offenses.