Wisdom and Folly

9 Whoever teaches a fool is like one who glues potsherds together,

or who rouses a sleeper from deep slumber.

10 Whoever tells a story to a fool tells it to a drowsy man;

and at the end he will say, “What is it?”

11 Weep for the dead, for he has left the light behind;

and weep for the fool, for he has left intelligence behind.

Weep less bitterly for the dead, for he is at rest;

but the life of the fool is worse than death.

12 Mourning for the dead lasts seven days,

but for the foolish or the ungodly it lasts all the days of their lives.

13 Do not talk much with a senseless person

or visit an unintelligent person.b

Stay clear of him, or you may have trouble,

and be spattered when he shakes himself off.

Avoid him and you will find rest,

and you will never be wearied by his lack of sense.

14 What is heavier than lead?

And what is its name except “Fool”?

15 Sand, salt, and a piece of iron

are easier to bear than a stupid person.

16 A wooden beam firmly bonded into a building

is not loosened by an earthquake;

so the mind firmly resolved after due reflection

will not be afraid in a crisis.

17 A mind settled on an intelligent thought

is like stucco decoration that makes a wall smooth.

18 Fencesc set on a high place

will not stand firm against the wind;

so a timid mind with a fool’s resolve

will not stand firm against any fear.