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1死蒼蠅使發出臭氣；這樣，一點愚昧也能敗壞智慧和尊榮。As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2智慧人的心；愚昧人的心居左。A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
3並且愚昧人行路顯出無知，對眾人說，他是愚昧人。Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4掌權者的心若向你發怒，不要離開你的本位，因為柔和能免大過。If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
5我見日光之下有一件禍患，似乎出於掌權的錯誤，There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler:
6就是愚昧人立在高位；富足人坐在低位。Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
7我見過僕人騎馬，王子像僕人在地上步行。I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8挖陷坑的，自己必掉在其中；拆牆垣的，必為蛇所咬。He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9鑿開（或譯：挪移）石頭的，必受損傷；劈開木頭的，必遭危險。The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
10鐵器鈍了，若不將刃磨快，就必多費氣力；但得智慧指教，便有益處。If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
11未行以先，蛇若咬人，後行法術也是無益。If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
12智慧人的口說出恩言；愚昧人的嘴吞滅自己。The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13他口中的言語起頭是愚昧；他話的末尾是奸惡的狂妄。The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
14愚昧人多有言語，人卻不知將來有甚麼事；他身後的事誰能告訴他呢？Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
15凡愚昧人，他的勞碌使自己困乏，因為連進城的路，他也不知道。The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
16邦國啊，你的王若是孩童，你的群臣早晨宴樂，你就有禍了！Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
17邦國啊，你的王若是之子，你的群臣按時吃喝，為要補力，不為酒醉，你就有福了！Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness.
18因人懶惰，房頂塌下；因人手懶，房屋滴漏。Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
19設擺筵席是為喜笑。酒能使人快活；錢能叫。A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
20你不可咒詛君王，也不可心懷此念；在你臥房也不可咒詛富戶。因為必傳揚這聲音，有翅膀的也必述說這事。Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech.