Ecclesiastes 10

MSTC(i) 1 Dead flies corrupt sweet ointment and make it to stink. Even so, oft times, he that hath been had in estimation for wisdom and honour is abhorred because of a little foolishness. 2 A wise man's heart is upon the righthand, but a fool's heart is upon the left. 3 A doting fool thinketh, that every man doth as foolishly as himself. 4 If a principal spirit be given thee to bear rule, be not negligent then in thine office: for so shall great wickedness be put down, as it were with a medicine. 5 Another plague is there, which I have seen under the sun; namely, the ignorance that is commonly among princes: 6 in that a fool sitteth in great dignity, and the rich are set down beneath. 7 I see servants ride upon horses, and princes going upon their feet as it were servants. 8 But he that diggeth up a pit, shall fall therein himself; and whoso breaketh down the hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9 Whoso removeth stones shall have travail withal; and he that heweth wood, shall be hurt therewith. 10 When an iron is blunt, and the point not sharpened, it must be whet again, and that with might. Even so doth wisdom follow diligence. 11 A babbler of his tongue is no better than a serpent that stingeth without hissing. 12 The words out of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool will destroy himself. 13 The beginning of his talking is foolishness, and the last word of his mouth is great madness. 14 A fool is so full of words, that a man cannot tell what end he shall make. Who will then warn him of it that shall follow after him? 15 The labour of the foolish is grievous unto them, while they know not how to go in to the city. 16 Woe be unto thee, O thou realm and land, whose king is but a child, and whose princes are early at their banquets. 17 But well is thee, O thou realm and land, whose king is come of nobles, and whose princes eat in due season, for strength and not for lust. 18 Through slothfulness the balks fall down, and through idle hands it raineth in at the house. 19 Meat maketh men to laugh, and wine maketh them merry; but unto money are all things obedient. 20 Wish the king no evil in thy thought, and speak no hurt of the rich in thy privy chamber; for a bird of the air shall betray thy voice, and with her feathers shall she betray thy words.