Ecclesiastes 10
A little foolishness can ruin great wisdom and glory. The foolish often consider themselves wise and others foolish, while the wise are cautious and attentive. Injustice and foolishness can be found even in those in positions of authority, and those who engage in evil will ultimately be harmed by it. Wisdom and diligence are necessary for success, and the words of the wise are gracious, while the words of the foolish lead to destruction.
Dying flies ruin the sweetness of the ointment. Wisdom and glory is more precious than a brief and limited foolishnessThe heart of a wise man is in his right hand, and the heart of a foolish man is in his left handMoreover, as a foolish man is walking along the way, even though he himself is unwise, he considers everyone to be foolishIf the spirit of one who holds authority rises over you, do not leave your place, because attentiveness will cause the greatest sins to ceaseThere is an evil which I have seen under the sun, proceeding from the presence of a prince, as if by mistakea foolish man appointed to a high dignity, and the rich sitting beneath himI have seen servants on horses, and princes walking on the ground like servantsWhoever digs a pit will fall into it. And whoever tears apart a hedge, a snake will bite himWhoever carries away stones will be harmed by them. And whoever cuts down trees will be wounded by themIf the iron is dull, and if it was not that way before, but has been made dull by much labor, then it will be sharpened. And wisdom will follow after diligenceWhoever slanders in secret is nothing less than a snake that bites silentlyWords from the mouth of a wise man are graceful, but the lips of a foolish man will throw him down with violenceAt the beginning of his words is foolishness, and at the end of his talk is a most grievous errorThe fool multiplies his words. A man does not know what has been before him, and who is able to reveal to him what will be in the future after himThe hardship of the foolish will afflict those who do not know to go into the cityWoe to you, the land whose king is a boy, and whose princes consume in the morningBlessed is the land whose king is noble, and whose princes eat at the proper time, for refreshment and not for self-indulgenceBy laziness, a framework shall be brought down, and by the weakness of hands, a house shall collapse throughWhile laughing, they make bread and wine, so that the living may feast. And all things are obedient to moneyYou should not slander the king, even in your thoughts, and you should not speak evil of a wealthy man, even in your private chamber. For even the birds of the air will carry your voice, and whatever has wings will announce your opinion
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