X. * Dead flies cause the ointment of the aapothecary to bsend forth a stinking savour: so doth a little cfolly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left. 3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, * his wisdom faileth him, and dhe saith to every one that he is a fool.

4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, eleave not thy place; for fyielding gpacifieth great offences.

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an herror which proceedeth * from the iruler: 6 kfolly is set * in great dignity, and the rich sit in llow place. 7 mI have seen servants nupon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

8 oHe that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso pbreaketh a hedge, qa serpent shall bite him. 9 Whoso rremoveth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that scleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

10 If the iron tbe blunt, and he do not uwhet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is xprofitable to ydirect.

11 Surely the serpent will bite without zenchantment; and * a babbler is no xbetter. 12 aThe words of a wise man’s mouth are * gracious; but bthe lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is cfoolishness: and the end of * his talk is mischievous dmadness. 14 eA fool also * is full of words: fa man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, gwho can tell him? 15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

16 hWoe to thee, O land, when ithy king is ja child, and thy princes keat in the morning. 17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes leat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness.

18 By much slothfulness the building mdecayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house ndroppeth through.

19 A feast is made for laughter, and owine * maketh merry: but pmoney answereth all things.

20 qCurse not the king, no not in thy * thought; and curse not the rich rin thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and sthat which hath wings shall tell the matter.