10:1 One dead fly 1 makes the perfumer’s ointment give off a rancid stench, 2
so a little folly can outweigh 3 much wisdom. 4
10:2 A wise person’s good sense protects him, 5
but a fool’s lack of sense leaves him vulnerable. 6
10:3 Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, 7
and shows 8 everyone what a fool he is. 9
10:4 If the anger 10 of the ruler flares up 11 against you, do not resign 12 from your position, 13
for a calm 14 response 15 can undo 16 great offenses.
10:5 I have seen another 17 misfortune 18 on the earth: 19
It is an error a ruler makes. 20
10:6 Fools 21 are placed in many positions of authority, 22
while wealthy men sit in lowly positions.
10:7 I have seen slaves 23 on horseback
and princes walking on foot 24 like slaves.
10:8 One who digs a pit may 25 fall into it,
and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 26
10:9 One who quarries stones may be injured by them;
one who splits logs may be endangered by them.