Ecclesiastes

¹ so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

² but the heart of the fool to the left.

³ the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.

⁴ do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.

⁵ the sort of error that arises from a ruler:

⁶ while the rich occupy the low ones.

⁷ while princes go on foot like slaves.

⁸ whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

⁹ whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.

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

¹¹ there is no profit for the charmer.

¹² but a fool is consumed by his own lips.

¹³ at the end they are wicked madness—

¹⁴ No one knows what is coming— who can tell him what will happen after him?

¹⁵ he does not know the way to town.

¹⁶ and whose princes feast in the morning.

¹⁷ and whose princes eat at a proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness.

¹⁸ if his hands are idle, the house leaks.

¹⁹ and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.

²⁰ or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.