Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
2智慧人的心居右； 愚昧人的心居左。A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
3愚昧人的行径显出无知， 对众人说，他是愚昧人。Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
4掌权者的怒气若向你发作， 不要离开你的本位， 因为镇定能平息大过。If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
5我见日光之下有一件祸患， 似乎出于统治者的错误，There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
6就是愚昧人立在高位； 有钱人却坐在低位。Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
7我见仆人骑马， 王子像仆人在地上步行。I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
8挖陷坑的，自己必陷在其中； 拆城墙的，自己必被蛇咬。He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9开凿石头的，会受损伤； 劈开木头的，必遭危险。Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
10铁器钝了，若不将刃磨快，就必多费力气； 但智慧的益处在于使人成功。If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11尚未行法术，蛇若咬人， 行法术的人就得不到什么好处了。Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
12智慧人的口说出恩言； 愚昧人的嘴吞灭自己，The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13他口中的话语起头是愚昧， 终局是邪恶的狂妄。The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14愚昧人多有话语。 人不知将来会发生什么事， 他身后的事谁能告诉他呢？A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
15愚昧人的劳碌使自己困乏， 连进城的路他也不知道。The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
16邦国啊，你的君王若年少， 你的群臣早晨宴乐， 你就有祸了！Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
17邦国啊，你的君王若是贵族之子， 你的群臣按时吃喝， 是为强身，不为酒醉， 你就有福了！Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18因人懒惰，房顶塌下； 因人手懒，房屋滴漏。By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
19摆设宴席是为欢乐。 酒能使人快活， 钱能叫万事应心。A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
20不可诅咒君王， 连起意也不可， 在卧室里也不可诅咒富人； 因为空中的飞鸟必传扬这声音， 有翅膀的必述说这事。Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.