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10:1 Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a foul odor; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 10:2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left. 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 post, for calmness will undo great offenses. 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. 10:7 I have seen slaves on horseback, and princes walking on foot like slaves. 10:8 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a snake. 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, then more strength must be exerted; but wisdom helps one to succeed. 10:11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage in a charmer. 10:12 Words spoken by the wise bring them favor, but the lips of fools consume them. 10:13 The words of their mouths begin in foolishness, and their talk ends in wicked madness; 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 fools wears them out, for they do not even know the way to town. 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 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. 10:19 Feasts are made for laughter; wine gladdens life, and money meets every need. 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.