11 I have turned so as to see under the sun, that not to the swift [is] the race, nor to the mighty the battle, nor even to the wise bread, nor even to the intelligent wealth, nor even to the skilful grace, for time and chance happen with them all. 12 For even man knoweth not his time; as fish that are taken hold of by an evil net, and as birds that are taken hold of by a snare, like these [are] the sons of man snared at an evil time, when it falleth upon them suddenly.
13 This also I have seen: wisdom under the sun, and it is great to me. 14 A little city, and few men in it, and a great king hath come unto it, and hath surrounded it, and hath built against it great bulwarks; 15 and there hath been found in it a poor wise man, and he hath delivered the city by his wisdom, and men have not remembered that poor man! 16 And I said, `Better [is] wisdom than might, and the wisdom of the poor is despised, and his words are not heard.' --
17 The words of the wise in quiet are heard, More than the cry of a ruler over fools. 18 Better [is] wisdom than weapons of conflict, And one sinner destroyeth much good!
1 Dead flies cause a perfumer's perfume To send forth a stink; The precious by reason of wisdom -- By reason of honour -- a little folly! 2 The heart of the wise [is] at his right hand, And the heart of a fool at his left. 3 And also, when he that is a fool Is walking in the way, his heart is lacking, And he hath said to every one, `He [is] a fool.' 4 If the spirit of the ruler go up against thee, Thy place leave not, For yielding quieteth great sinners.
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error that goeth out from the ruler, 6 He hath set the fool in many high places, And the rich in a low place do sit. 7 I have seen servants on horses, And princes walking as servants on the earth.
8 Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And whoso is breaking a hedge, a serpent biteth him. 9 Whoso is removing stones is grieved by them, Whoso is cleaving trees endangered by them. 10 If the iron hath been blunt, And he the face hath not sharpened, Then doth he increase strength, And wisdom [is] advantageous to make right. 11 If the serpent biteth without enchantment, Then there is no advantage to a master of the tongue.
12 Words of the mouth of the wise [are] gracious, And the lips of a fool swallow him up. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth [is] folly, And the latter end of his mouth [Is] mischievous madness. 14 And the fool multiplieth words: `Man knoweth not that which is, And that which is after him, who doth declare to him?' 15 The labour of the foolish wearieth him, In that he hath not known to go unto the city.
16 Wo to thee, O land, when thy king [is] a youth, And thy princes do eat in the morning. 17 Happy art thou, O land, When thy king [is] a son of freemen, And thy princes do eat in due season, For might, and not for drunkenness. 18 By slothfulness is the wall brought low, And by idleness of the hands doth the house drop. 19 For mirth they are making a feast, And wine maketh life joyful, And the silver answereth with all. 20 Even in thy mind a king revile not, And in the inner parts of thy bed-chamber Revile not the rich: For a fowl of the heavens causeth the voice to go, And a possessor of wings declareth the word.