Ecclesiastes 10
1 muscae morientes perdunt suavitatem unguenti pretiosior est sapientia et gloria parva ad tempus stultitia
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 cor sapientis in dextera eius et cor stulti in sinistra illius
A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
3 sed et in via stultus ambulans cum ipse insipiens sit omnes stultos aestimat
Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4 si spiritus potestatem habentis ascenderit super te locum tuum ne dimiseris quia curatio cessare faciet peccata maxima
If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
5 est malum quod vidi sub sole quasi per errorem egrediens a facie principis
There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler:
6 positum stultum in dignitate sublimi et divites sedere deorsum
Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
7 vidi servos in equis et principes ambulantes quasi servos super terram
I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8 qui fodit foveam incidet in eam et qui dissipat sepem mordebit eum coluber
He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 qui transfert lapides adfligetur in eis et qui scindit ligna vulnerabitur ab eis
The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
10 si retunsum fuerit ferrum et hoc non ut prius sed hebetatum erit multo labore exacuatur et post industriam sequitur sapientia
If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
11 si mordeat serpens in silentio nihil eo minus habet qui occulte detrahit
If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
12 verba oris sapientis gratia et labia insipientis praecipitabunt eum
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 initium verborum eius stultitia et novissimum oris illius error pessimus
The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
14 stultus verba multiplicat ignorat homo quid ante se fuerit et quod post futurum est quis illi poterit indicare
Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
15 labor stultorum adfliget eos qui nesciunt in urbem pergere
The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
16 vae tibi terra cuius rex est puer et cuius principes mane comedunt
Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
17 beata terra cuius rex nobilis est et cuius principes vescuntur in tempore suo ad reficiendum et non ad luxuriam
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 in pigritiis humiliabitur contignatio et in infirmitate manuum perstillabit domus
Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
19 in risu faciunt panem ac vinum ut epulentur viventes et pecuniae oboedient omnia
A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
20 in cogitatione tua regi ne detrahas et in secreto cubiculi tui ne maledixeris diviti quia avis caeli portabit vocem tuam et qui habet pinnas adnuntiabit sententiam
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.
