Propovjednik 10
1 Uginula muha usmrdi mirisno ulje, a i malo ludosti jače je od mudrosti i časti.
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 Mudrac kroči pravim putem, a luđak krivim.
A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.
3 Dovoljno je da luđak pođe putem: kako razbora nema, svakomu pokazuje da je lud.
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 Ako se na te digne vladaočev gnjev, ne ostavljaj svoga mjesta, jer blagost sprečava velike grijehe.
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses.
5 Ima zlo što ga vidjeh pod suncem kao prestupak koji dolazi od vladaoca:
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceeds from the ruler:
6 ludost se podiže na najviša mjesta, a veliki zauzimaju niske položaje.
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
7 Vidjeh sluge na konjima, a knezove gdje idu pješice kao sluge.
I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth.
8 Tko jamu kopa, u nju pada; i tko ruši zid, ujeda ga zmija.
He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaks an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9 Tko lomi kamenje, ono ga ranjava; tko cijepa drva, može nastradati.
Whoever removes stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that splits wood shall be endangered thereby.
10 Kad zatupi željezo i oštrica mu nije nabrušena, tada treba više snage; a nagrada mudrosti je uspjeh.
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 Ako zmija ujede prije čaranja, ništa onda opčaratelj ne koristi.
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
12 Pune su miline riječi iz usta mudraca, a bezumnika upropašćuju njegove usne.
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13 On počinje svoje besjede ludošću i svršava ih potpunim bezumljem.
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14 Luđak previše govori: čovjek ne poznaje budućnost, i tko mu može kazati što će poslije njega biti?
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 Luđake mori njihov trud; tko ne zna puta, ne može u grad.
The labor of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city.
16 Jao tebi, zemljo, kad ti je kralj premlad i knezovi se već ujutro goste.
Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
17 Blago tebi, zemljo, kad ti je kralj plemenit i knezovi ti u svoje vrijeme blaguju da se okrijepe, a ne da se opiju.
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 S lijenosti se ugiblju grede, zbog nebrige prokišnjava kuća.
By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house drops through.
19 Ali su gozbe radi zabave i vino uveseljava život, a novci pribavljaju sve.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: but money answers all things.
20 Ni u svojoj misli ne kuni kralja, ni u svojoj ložnici ne kuni bogataša, jer će ptice odnijeti glas i kleveta lako okrilati.
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.
