2.1 KiB
The Burden of Folly
Chapter 10
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Dead flies make a perfumer's oil ferment and stink; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
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A wise person's heart goes to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.
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Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense, and he shows everyone he is a fool.
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If the ruler's anger rises against you, don't leave your post, for calmness puts great offenses to rest.
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There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:
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The fool is appointed to great heights, but the rich remain in lowly positions.
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I have seen slaves on horses, but princes walking on the ground like slaves.
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The one who digs a pit may fall into it, and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
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The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them; the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
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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.
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If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.
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The words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
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The beginning of the words from his mouth is folly, but the end of his speaking is evil madness;
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yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what will happen, and who can tell anyone what will happen after him?
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The struggles of fools weary them, for they don't know how to go to the city.
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Woe to you, land, when your king is a youth and your princes feast in the morning.
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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.
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Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of negligent hands the house leaks.
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A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life happy, and money is the answer for everything.
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Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, and do not curse a rich person even in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry the message, and a winged creature may report the matter.