Ecc 10 | EngLXX | STEP | Pestilent flies will corrupt a preparation of sweet ointment: and a little wisdom is more precious than great glory of folly.

‏ Ecclesiastes 10

1 Pestilent flies will corrupt a preparation of sweet ointment:and a little wisdom is more precious than great glory of folly. 2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. 3 Yes, and whenever a fool walks by the way, his heart will fail him, and all that he thinksof is folly. 4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for soothing willput an end to great offences. 5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, wherein an error has proceeded fromthe ruler. 6 The fool has been set in very high places, while rich men would sit in a low one. 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth. 8 He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and him that breaks down a hedge a serpent shallbite. 9 He that removes stones shall be troubled thereby; he that cleaves wood shall be endangeredthereby. 10 If the axe-head should fall off, then the man troubles his countenance, and he must putforth more strength: andin that case skill is of no advantage to a man. 11 If a serpent bite when there is nocharmer's whisper, then there is no advantage to the charmer. 12 The words of a wise mouth are gracious: but the lips of a fool will swallow him up. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly: and the end of his talk mischievousmadness. 14 A fool moreover multiplies words: man knows not what has been, nor what will be: whoshall tell him what will come after him? 15 The labor of fools will afflict them,as that of one who knows not to go to the city. 16 Woe to you, O city, whose king is young, and your princes eat in the morning! 17 Blessed are you, O land, whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes shall eat seasonably,for strength, and shall not be ashamed. 18 By slothful neglect a building will be brought low: and by idleness of the hands thehouse will fall to pieces. 19 Men prepare bread for laughter, and wine and oil that the living should rejoice: butto money all things will humbly yield obedience. 20 Even in your conscience, curse not the king; and curse not the rich in your bedchamber:for a bird of the air shall carry your voice, and that which has wings shall report your speech.