Propovjednik 10
1 Uginula muha usmrdi mirisno ulje, a i malo ludosti jače je od mudrosti i časti.
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 Mudrac kroči pravim putem, a luđak krivim.
A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
3 Dovoljno je da luđak pođe putem: kako razbora nema, svakomu pokazuje da je lud.
Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4 Ako se na te digne vladaočev gnjev, ne ostavljaj svoga mjesta, jer blagost sprečava velike grijehe.
If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
5 Ima zlo što ga vidjeh pod suncem kao prestupak koji dolazi od vladaoca:
There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler:
6 ludost se podiže na najviša mjesta, a veliki zauzimaju niske položaje.
Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
7 Vidjeh sluge na konjima, a knezove gdje idu pješice kao sluge.
I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8 Tko jamu kopa, u nju pada; i tko ruši zid, ujeda ga zmija.
He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 Tko lomi kamenje, ono ga ranjava; tko cijepa drva, može nastradati.
The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
10 Kad zatupi željezo i oštrica mu nije nabrušena, tada treba više snage; a nagrada mudrosti je uspjeh.
If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
11 Ako zmija ujede prije čaranja, ništa onda opčaratelj ne koristi.
If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
12 Pune su miline riječi iz usta mudraca, a bezumnika upropašćuju njegove usne.
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 On počinje svoje besjede ludošću i svršava ih potpunim bezumljem.
The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
14 Luđak previše govori: čovjek ne poznaje budućnost, i tko mu može kazati što će poslije njega biti?
Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
15 Luđake mori njihov trud; tko ne zna puta, ne može u grad.
The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
16 Jao tebi, zemljo, kad ti je kralj premlad i knezovi se već ujutro goste.
Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
17 Blago tebi, zemljo, kad ti je kralj plemenit i knezovi ti u svoje vrijeme blaguju da se okrijepe, a ne da se opiju.
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 S lijenosti se ugiblju grede, zbog nebrige prokišnjava kuća.
Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
19 Ali su gozbe radi zabave i vino uveseljava život, a novci pribavljaju sve.
A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
20 Ni u svojoj misli ne kuni kralja, ni u svojoj ložnici ne kuni bogataša, jer će ptice odnijeti glas i kleveta lako okrilati.
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.
