| 1 ¶ Dead1 flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
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| 2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
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| 3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his2 wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
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| 4 ¶ If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
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| 5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from3 the ruler:
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| 6 Folly is set in great4 dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
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| 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
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| 8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
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| 9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
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| 10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
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| 11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler5 is no better.
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| 12 ¶ The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious;6 but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
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| 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk7 is mischievous madness.
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| 14 A fool also is full8 of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
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| 15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
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| 16 ¶ Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
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| 17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
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| 18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
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| 19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh9 merry: but money answereth all things.
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| 20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought;10 and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
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