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2 A wise man’s heart inclines to the right,
but a fool’s heart to the left.
3 Even when the fool walks along the road,
he lacks sense,
and he shows everyone how stupid he is.
4 If the anger of a ruler rises up against you,
do not leave your place,
for calmness can lay great offences to rest.
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun,
the sort of error that proceeds from a ruler:
6 Fools are placed in many high positions,
while the rich remain in lowly positions.
7 I have seen slaves on horseback,
while princes walk on the ground like slaves.
8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it,
and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them,
and whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.
10 If the axe is blunt,
and a man does not sharpen the edge,
then he must exert more strength;
but wisdom is advantageous to gaining success.
11 If a snake bites before it is charmed,
there is no profit for the charmer.
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious,
but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth are folly;
at the end of his speaking they are evil madness—
14and the fool multiplies words.
A man cannot know what is to come,
and who can tell him what will happen after him?
15 The toil of a fool wearies him;
he does not even know the way to go to the city.
16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a servant,
and your princes feast in the morning.
17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is a son of nobles,
and your princes feast at the proper time—
for strength and not for drunkenness.
18 When a man is lazy, the rafters sag,
and through the idleness of his hands, the roof leaks.
19 A feast is prepared for laughter,
and wine makes life merry,
but money is the answer for everything.
20 Do not curse the king, not even in your thoughts,
and do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom,
for a bird on the wing may carry your words,
and a bird in flight may report what you say.