Mosakoli 10
1 Ndenge nzinzi ekufa ekomisaka malasi solo mabe, ndenge wana mpe mwa bozoba ebebisaka bwanya mpe lokumu.
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 Motema ya moto ya bwanya ekendaka na nzela ya malamu, kasi motema ya zoba ekendaka na nzela ya mabe.
A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
3 Ata tango zoba atambolaka na nzela, bozangi mayele na ye etalisaka na bato mosusu ete azali zoba.
Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4 Soki mokonzi atombokeli yo, kolongwa na esika na yo ya mosala te; pamba te motema ya kokita epekisaka bambeba minene.
If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
5 Namonaki mabe moko na se ya moyi, lokola libunga epai ya bakonzi:
There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler:
6 bazoba batombolami na bisika ya lokumu makasi, kasi bazwi batikali na bisika ya se.
Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
7 Namonaki bawumbu kotambola likolo ya bampunda, mpe bakonzi kotambola na makolo lokola bawumbu.
I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8 Moto oyo atimoli libulu akoki kokweya kati na yango; mpe moto oyo abuki mir ya lopango, nyoka ekoki koswa ye.
He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 Moto oyo abukaka mabanga akoki kozoka na yango, oyo apasolaka mabaya akoki mpe kozwa likama.
The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
10 Soki epasola esili minu mpe bapelisi yango te, moto oyo akosalela yango akobimisa makasi mingi; kasi bwanya epesaka elonga.
If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
11 Soki nyoka eswi moto liboso ete asakanisa yango, litomba ezali lisusu te epai ya moto oyo asakanisaka banyoka.
If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
12 Maloba ya moto ya bwanya epesaka esengo, kasi maloba ya zoba elukelaka ye makambo.
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 Abandaka na maloba ya bozoba mpe asukisaka na maloba ya mabe.
The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
14 Zoba alobaka mingi. Moto moko te ayebi makambo oyo ekoya; nani akoki koyebisa ye makambo oyo ekosalema sima na ye?
Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
15 Mosala ya zoba elembisaka ye, ayebi ata kutu te nzela oyo ememaka na engumba.
The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
16 Mawa na mokili oyo mokonzi na yango azali mwana moke, mpe oyo bakambi na yango balangwaka masanga na tongo-tongo!
Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
17 Esengo na mokili oyo mokonzi na yango abotama na libota ya bato minene, mpe oyo bakambi na yango baliaka na tango oyo esengeli mpo na kozwa makasi, kasi mpo na kolangwa masanga te.
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 Soki moto azali goyigoyi, likolo ya ndako na ye ekobukana; soki maboko na ye elemba, ndako na ye ekotanga mayi.
Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
19 Basalaka feti mpo na kosepela, mpe masanga ya vino epesaka esengo na motema, mpe mbongo epesaka biyano na makambo nyonso.
A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
20 Kolakela mokonzi mabe te, ezala kati na motema na yo; kolakela mozwi mabe te, ezala na mbeto na yo ya kolala, pamba te ndeke ya likolo ekoki komema maloba na yo mpe kopanza sango ya maloba na yo.
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.
