10:1  DEAD FLIES cause the ointment of the perfumer to putrefy [and] send forth a vile odor; so does a little folly [in him who is valued for wisdom] outweigh wisdom and honor.

10:2  A wise man's heart turns him toward his right hand, but a fool's heart toward his left.

10:3  Even when he who is a fool walks along the road, his heart {and} understanding fail him, and he says of everyone {and} to everyone that he is a fool.

10:4  If the temper of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place [or show a resisting spirit]; for gentleness {and} calmness prevent {or} put a stop to great offenses.

10:5  There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which proceeds from the ruler:

10:6  Folly is set in great dignity {and} in high places, and the rich sit in low places.

10:7  I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking like slaves on the earth.

10:8  He who digs a pit [for others] will fall into it, and whoever breaks through a fence {or} a [stone] wall, a serpent will bite him.

10:9  Whoever removes [landmark] stones {or} hews out [new ones with similar intent] will be hurt with them, {and} he who fells trees will be endangered by them.

10:10  If the ax is dull and the man does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps him to succeed.

10:11  If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then it is no use to call a charmer [and the slanderer is no better than the uncharmed snake].

10:12  The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious {and} win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

10:13  The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is wicked madness.

10:14  A fool also multiplies words, though no man can tell what will be--and what will happen after he is gone, who can tell him?

10:15  The labor of fools wearies every one of them, because [he is so ignorant of the ordinary matters that] he does not even know how to get to town.

10:16  Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child {or} a servant and when your officials feast in the morning!

10:17  Happy (fortunate and to be envied) are you, O land, when your king is a free man {and} of noble birth {and} character and when your officials feast at the proper time--for strength and not for drunkenness!

10:18  Through indolence the rafters [of state affairs] decay {and} the roof sinks in, and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.

10:19  [Instead of repairing the breaches, the officials] make a feast for laughter, serve wine to cheer life, and [depend on tax] money to answer for all of it.

10:20  Curse not the king, no, not even in your thoughts, and curse not the rich in your bedchamber, for a bird of the air will carry the voice, and a winged creature will tell the matter.