5
There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were 1an error proceeding from the ruler:
6
2folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.
7
3I have seen slaves 4on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8
He who 5digs a pit will fall into it, and 6a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9
7He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who 8splits logs is endangered by them.
10
If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
11
If the serpent bites before it is 9charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.
12
The words of a wise man's mouth 10win him favor, but 11the lips of a fool consume him.
13
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.
14
12A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him 13what will be after him?
15
The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know 14the way to the city.