1 Dead flies make the perfumer’s oil stink {yavi’ish: cause to stink}; so a little folly {sikhlut: foolish behavior} can tip the scales against wisdom and honor.
2 The heart of the wise one leans to his right {yamin: position of honor}, but the heart of the fool to his left {smol: symbol of disadvantage}.
3 Even when the fool walks along the way, his heart {libbo: inner mind} is lacking, and he tells everyone, “I am a fool {sakhal: senseless person}.”
4 If the spirit of the ruler {moshel: authority wielder} rises against you, do not abandon your position; for calmness can quiet great offenses {hataim: serious faults}.
5 I have beheld an evil under the sun, akin to an error {kishgagah: unintended lapse} that issues from the ruler {shalit: authority bearer}.
6 Folly{sekel: lack of sound judgment} is placed in many exalted seats{meromim: elevated stations}, while the rich sit down in a low place.
7 I have seen servants mounting horses {susim: mounts}, and princes walking on the earth {ha-aretz: common ground} like servants.
8 The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and the one who breaks through a hedge {gader: enclosure} will be bitten by a serpent {nachash: dangerous creature}.
9 Whoever moves {massia: mover of stones} stones may be hurt by them; and whoever splits {boqea: wood splitter} wood may be endangered by it.
10 If the iron is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must increase his effort; but wisdom {khokhmah: skillful understanding} gives an advantage for success {khesher: effective result}.
11 If the serpent bites without incantation{lakhash: persuasive speech}, there is no advantage to the master of the tongue{lashon: expressive language}.
12 The words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious {chen: marked by favor}, but the lips of a fool will swallow him up {tevalleennu: personal ruin}.
13 The outset of his speech is foolishness {siklut: lack of sense}, and its conclusion is madness {holelut: wild folly}.
14 The fool {sakhal: senseless person} multiplies words {devarim: spoken expressions}; yet no one knows what awaits him, and who can tell him what lies beyond?
15 The labor of fools{kesilim: senseless ones} wearies{teyaggenu: causes fatigue} the one who does not know how to go to the city.
16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a youth {naʿar: inexperienced leader} and your princes eat in the morning {ba-boker: at an unwise time}.
17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is a son of nobles, and your princes eat at the proper time {ba’et: due season} for strength {gevurah: might} and not for drunkenness.
18 By slothfulness {ba‘atsaltayim: passive neglect} the roof will sag, and through slack hands {yadayim: lacking effort} the house will leak.
19 For laughter {lishoq: expression of joy} they prepare bread, and wine makes life glad, but money answers everything {hakol: all things collectively}.
20 Also do not curse the king even in your thought {madda‘: inner reflection}; and do not curse the rich even in the chambers {ḥedrei: private quarters} of your bed, for a bird of the heavens will carry the voice, and one who possesses wings will declare the matter.