3
Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he 1says to everyone that he is a fool.
4
If the anger of the ruler rises against you, 2do not leave your place, 3for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.
5
There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were 4an error proceeding from the ruler:
6
5folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.
7
6I have seen slaves 7on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8
He who 8digs a pit will fall into it, and 9a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9
10He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who 11splits 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 12charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.
12
The words of a wise man's mouth 13win him favor, but 14the 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.