Wisdom is Needed to Avert Dangers in Everyday Life

10:8 One who digs a pit may25 fall into it,

and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.26

10:9 One who quarries stones may be injured by them;

one who splits logs may be endangered by them.

10:10 If an iron axhead27 is blunt and a workman28 does not sharpen29 its edge,30

he must exert a great deal of effort;31

so wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

10:11 If the snake should bite before it is charmed,32

the snake charmer33 is in trouble.34