¹⁷ The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
    than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
¹⁸ Wisdom^(D) is better than weapons of war,
    but one sinner destroys much good.

10 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell,
    so a little folly^(E) outweighs wisdom and honor.
² The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
    but the heart of the fool to the left.
³ Even as fools walk along the road,
    they lack sense
    and show everyone^(F) how stupid they are.
⁴ If a ruler’s anger rises against you,
    do not leave your post;^(G)
    calmness can lay great offenses to rest.^(H)

⁵ There is an evil I have seen under the sun,
    the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
⁶ Fools are put in many high positions,^(I)
    while the rich occupy the low ones.
⁷ I have seen slaves on horseback,
    while princes go on foot like slaves.^(J)

⁸ Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;^(K)
    whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.^(L)
9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them;
    whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.^(M)

¹⁰ If the ax is dull
    and its edge unsharpened,
more strength is needed,
    but skill will bring success.

¹¹ If a snake bites before it is charmed,
    the charmer receives no fee.^(N)

¹² Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious,^(O)
    but fools are consumed by their own lips.^(P)
13 At the beginning their words are folly;
    at the end they are wicked madness—
¹⁴     and fools multiply words.^(Q)

No one knows what is coming—
    who can tell someone else what will happen after them?^(R)

¹⁵ The toil of fools wearies them;
    they do not know the way to town.

¹⁶ Woe to the land whose king was a servant^[a](S)
    and whose princes feast in the morning.
¹⁷ Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth
    and whose princes eat at a proper time—
    for strength and not for drunkenness.^(T)

¹⁸ Through laziness, the rafters sag;
    because of idle hands, the house leaks.^(U)

¹⁹ A feast is made for laughter,
    wine^(V) makes life merry,
    and money is the answer for everything.

²⁰ Do not revile the king^(W) even in your thoughts,
    or curse the rich in your bedroom,
because a bird in the sky may carry your words,
    and a bird on the wing may report what you say.