Ecclesiastes 10

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

Just as a single dead fly can ruin the fragrance of a perfume, a small mistake can tarnish the reputation of a wise and respected person.

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

A wise person's heart leads them the right way, while a fool's heart leads them astray.

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

Indeed, when a foolish person journeys, his lack of wisdom betrays him, openly admitting his foolishness to all.

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

If a leader turns against you, don't abandon your position; for showing humility can soothe major conflicts.

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

I've witnessed a terrible wrong in this world, a mistake that stems from those in power.

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

Ignorance is often celebrated, while the wealthy are humbled.

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

I've witnessed the humble riding high like kings, while the mighty walk the earth as common men.

He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

If you dig a hole, you might fall into it; if you break a barrier, you might get bitten by a snake.

Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

If you mess with rocks, you might get hurt; if you chop wood, you risk danger.

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.

If your tool is dull and you don't sharpen it, you'll need to work harder. But with wisdom, you can work smarter, not harder.

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

If a snake bites before it is charmed, the snake charmer's skill is of no use.

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

A wise man's words are kind and comforting, but a fool's words lead to his own downfall.

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

His first words are foolish, and his final ones are dangerously insane.

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

A fool tends to talk too much, often without knowing the future. Who can predict what's to come, or what will happen after they're gone?

The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

The pointless efforts of the unwise exhaust them, as they lack the knowledge to find their way to the city.

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

Alas, dear land, when your ruler is but a child, and your leaders feast at dawn!

Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

You are truly fortunate, O land, when your leader is born of noble lineage, and your rulers eat at the right time for vitality, not for overindulgence!

By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

Neglect and laziness lead to a crumbling home; idle hands cause a house to fall apart.

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

Celebrations are for joy and wine brings cheer, but money solves problems.

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

Never harbor ill thoughts about the king, nor speak ill of the wealthy in your private quarters. For even whispers can be carried by the wind, and secrets can be revealed by the smallest creature with wings.