10:1 Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off an evil odor; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
10:1 Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a foul odor; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

10:2 A wise man's heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool's heart toward the left.
10:2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.

10:3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to every one that he is a fool.
10:3 Even when fools walk on the road, they lack sense, and show to everyone that they are fools.

10:4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for deference will make amends for great offenses.
10:4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post, for calmness will undo great offenses.

10:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:
10:5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as great an error as if it proceeded from the ruler:

10:6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.
10:6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.

10:7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on foot like slaves.
10:7 I have seen slaves on horseback, and princes walking on foot like slaves.

10:8 He who digs a pit will fall into it; and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
10:8 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a snake.

10:9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them; and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
10:9 Whoever quarries stones will be hurt by them; and whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.

10:10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps one to succeed.
10:10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, then more strength must be exerted; but wisdom helps one to succeed.

10:11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage in a charmer.
10:11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage in a charmer.

10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
10:12 Words spoken by the wise bring them favor, but the lips of fools consume them.

10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is wicked madness.
10:13 The words of their mouths begin in foolishness, and their talk ends in wicked madness;

10:14 A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?
10:14 yet fools talk on and on. No one knows what is to happen, and who can tell anyone what the future holds?

10:15 The toil of a fool wearies him, so that he does not know the way to the city.
10:15 The toil of fools wears them out, for they do not even know the way to town.

10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!
10:16 Alas for you, O land, when your king is a servant, and your princes feast in the morning!

10:17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of free men, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
10:17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is a nobleman, and your princes feast at the proper time--for strength, and not for drunkenness!

10:18 Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.
10:18 Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.

10:19 Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.
10:19 Feasts are made for laughter; wine gladdens life, and money meets every need.

10:20 Even in your thought, do not curse the king, nor in your bedchamber curse the rich; for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.
10:20 Do not curse the king, even in your thoughts, or curse the rich, even in your bedroom; for a bird of the air may carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.