Ecclesiastes 10

1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink [and] ferment; [so] a little folly is weightier than wisdom [and] honour.

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking smell: so does a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.

2 The heart of a wise [man] is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.

A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.

3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his sense faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.

Yes also, when he that is a fool walks by the way, his wisdom fails him, and he says to every one that he is a fool.

4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences.

If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses.

5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error [that] proceedeth from the ruler:

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

6 folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place.

Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth.

8 He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him.

He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaks an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

9 Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.

Whoever removes stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that splits wood shall be endangered thereby.

10 If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success.

If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

11 If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself.

The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

14 And the fool multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will tell him?

A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

15 The labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city.

The labor of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city.

16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!

Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!

17 Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, and thy princes eat in [due] season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

18 By much sloth fulness the framework falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth.

By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house drops through.

19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh life merry; but money answereth everything.

A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: but money answers all things.

20 Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.

Curse not the king, no not in your thought; and curse not the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.