NETfree - Ecclesiastes - 10

10:1  One dead fly makes the perfumer's ointment give off a rancid stench, so a little folly can outweigh much wisdom.

10:2  A wise person's good sense protects him, but a fool's lack of sense leaves him vulnerable.

10:3  Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, and shows everyone what a fool he is.

10:4  If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses.

10:5  I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes.

10:6  Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions.

10:7  I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on foot like slaves.

10:8  One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

10:9  One who quarries stones may be injured by them; one who splits logs may be endangered by them.

10:10  If an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

10:11  If the snake should bite before it is charmed, the snake charmer is in trouble.

10:12  The words of a wise person win him favor, but the words of a fool are self-destructive.

10:13  At the beginning his words are foolish and at the end his talk is wicked madness,

10:14  yet a fool keeps on babbling. No one knows what will happen; who can tell him what will happen in the future?

10:15  The toil of a stupid fool wears him out, because he does not even know the way to the city.

10:16  Woe to you, O land, when your king is childish, and your princes feast in the morning!

10:17  Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time - with self-control and not in drunkenness.

10:18  Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of idle hands the house leaks.

10:19  Feasts are made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.

10:20  Do not curse a king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich while in your bedroom; for a bird might report what you are thinking, or some winged creature might repeat your words.