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Miscellaneous Observations

10Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a foul odour;
   so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honour.
² The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
   but the heart of a fool to the left.
³ Even when fools walk on the road, they lack sense,
   and show to everyone that they are fools.
⁴ If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post,
   for calmness will undo great offences.

5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as great an error as if it proceeded from the ruler: ⁶folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. ⁷I have seen slaves on horseback, and princes walking on foot like slaves.
⁸ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it;
   and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a snake.
⁹ Whoever quarries stones will be hurt by them;
   and whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.
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.
¹¹ If the snake bites before it is charmed,
   there is no advantage in a charmer.

¹² Words spoken by the wise bring them favour,
   but the lips of fools consume them.
¹³ The words of their mouths begin in foolishness,
   and their talk ends in wicked madness;
¹⁴ yet fools talk on and on.
   No one knows what is to happen,
   and who can tell anyone what the future holds?
¹⁵ The toil of fools wears them out,
   for they do not even know the way to town.

¹⁶ Alas for you, O land, when your king is a servant,^*
   and your princes feast in the morning!
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!
¹⁸ Through sloth the roof sinks in,
   and through indolence the house leaks.
¹⁹ Feasts are made for laughter;
   wine gladdens life,
   and money meets every need.
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.