Глава 10

  • 1. ¶ LIKE dead flies which make the container of precious ointment stink, so does a great folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
  • 2. A wise man’s heart thinks rightly; but a fool’s heart thinks wrongly.
  • 3. Yea also, when the fool walks by the way, he lacks wisdom, and whatever he reasons is folly.
  • 4. ¶ If the temper of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your country; because healing forgives many sins.
  • 5. There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which proceeds from before a ruler:
  • 6. The fool is set in high and powerful places, and the rich shall sit in a low place.
  • 7. I have seen servants riding upon horses, and princes walking like servants on the ground.
  • 8. He who digs a pit shall fall into it; and he who breaks a hedge will be bitten by a serpent.
  • 9. He who removes landmarks shall suffer pain by them; and he who cuts trees shall be wounded by them.
  • 10. Just as the edge of a weapon may be blunt, and not sharpened, and yet may cause many to be slain, so wisdom is more advantageous to those who are diligent.
  • 11. If the serpent bites without being charmed; then in vain is a charmer.
  • 12. ¶ The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will ruin him.
  • 13. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
  • 14. A fool multiplies words; a man cannot tell what has been; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
  • 15. The labor of fools wears them out because they do not know how to buy and sell in the city.
  • 16. ¶ Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
  • 17. Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of a noble and your princes eat in due time, for strength and not for drunkenness!
  • 18. By slothfulness a roof shall be brought down; and through idleness of hands water drips through.
  • 19. Bread and wine are made for joy, and oil makes life merry; but money brings one low and causes him to go astray in all things.
  • 20. Do not curse the king, no not even in your thought; and do not curse the rich in your bedchamber; for a bird of the air shall carry your voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.