Ecclésiaste ou, Le Prédicateur

Chapître 10

1

 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary⁶ to send forth⁵⁵ a stinking savour:⁵⁵ [so doth] a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom [and] honour.

2

A wise man's heart [is] at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.

3

Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh⁶ by the way, his wisdom faileth [him], and he saith¹ to every one [that] he [is] a fool.

4

If the spirit of the ruler⁶ rise up⁴ against thee, leave⁵⁵ not thy place; for yielding pacifieth⁵⁵ great offences.

5

There is an evil [which] I have seen¹ under the sun, as an error [which] proceedeth⁶ from the ruler:

6

 Folly is set⁸ in great dignity, and the rich sit⁴ in low place.

7

I have seen¹ servants upon horses, and princes walking⁶ as servants upon the earth.

8

He that diggeth⁶ a pit shall fall⁴ into it; and whoso breaketh⁶ an hedge, a serpent shall bite⁴ him.

9

Whoso removeth⁵⁶ stones shall be hurt¹¹ therewith; [and] he that cleaveth⁶ wood shall be endangered¹¹ thereby.

10

If the iron be blunt,¹⁴ and he do not whet⁴³ the edge, then must he put¹⁷ to more strength: but wisdom [is] profitable to direct.⁵³

11

Surely the serpent will bite⁴ without enchantment; and a babbler ¹¹⁶⁷ is no better.

12

The words of a wise man's mouth [are] gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up¹⁷ himself.

13

The beginning of the words of his mouth [is] foolishness: and the end of his talk [is] mischievous madness.

14

A fool also is full⁵⁵ of words: a man cannot tell⁴ what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell⁵⁵ him?

15

The labour of the foolish wearieth¹⁷ every one of them, because he knoweth¹ not how to go² to the city.

16

 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king [is] a child, and thy princes eat⁴ in the morning!

17

 Blessed [art] thou, O land, when thy king [is] the son of nobles, and thy princes eat⁴ in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

18

By much slothfulness the building decayeth;¹¹ and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.⁴

19

A feast is made⁶ for laughter, and wine maketh merry:^{17 2416} but money answereth⁴ all [things].

20

 Curse¹⁷ not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse¹⁷ not the rich in thy bedchamber: ⁴⁹⁰⁴ for a bird of the air shall carry⁵⁵ the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell⁵⁵ the matter.