Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil ferment and stink;
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense,
and he shows everyone he is a fool.
If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your post,
for calmness puts great offenses to rest.
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:
The one who digs a pit may fall into it,
and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them;
the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge,
then one must exert more strength;
however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.
The beginning of the words from his mouth is folly,
but the end of his speaking is evil madness;
yet the fool multiplies words.
No one knows what will happen,
and who can tell anyone what will happen after him?
Blessed are you, land, when your king is a son of nobles
and your princes feast at the proper time —
for strength and not for drunkenness.
Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017, 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers.
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