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[1] Dead flies cause to stink, and putrefy the ointment of the apothecary: so doth a little folly him that is in estimation for wisdom, and for glory.
[2] The heart of a wise man is at his right hand: but the heart of a fool is at his left hand.
[3] And also when the fool goeth by the way, his heart faileth, and he telleth unto all that he is a fool.
[4] If the spirit of him that ruleth, rise up against thee, leave not thy place: for gentleness pacifieth great sins.
[5] There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error that proceedeth from the face of him that ruleth.
[6] Folly is set in great excellency, and the rich set in the low place.
[7] I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the ground.
[8] He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it, and he that breaketh the hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
[9] He that removeth stones, shall hurt himself thereby, and he that cutteth wood, shall be in danger thereby.
[10] If the iron be blunt, and one hath not whet the edge, he must then put to more strength: but the excellency to direct a thing is wisdom.
[11] If the serpent bite, when he is not charmed: no better is a babbler.
[12] The words of the mouth of a wise man have grace: but the lips of a fool devour himself.
[13] The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the latter end of his mouth is wicked madness.
[14] For the fool multiplieth words, saying, Man knoweth not what shall be: and who can tell him what shall be after him?
[15] The labor of the foolish doth weary him: for he knoweth not to go into the city.
[16] Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning.
[17] Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in time, for strength and not for drunkenness.
[18] By slothfulness the roof of the house goeth to decay, and by the idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
[19] They prepare bread for laughter, and wine comforteth the living, but silver answereth to all.
[20] Curse not the king, no not in thy thought, neither curse the rich in thy bed chamber: for the fowl of the heaven shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings, shall declare the matter.
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