1. Dead flies in perfume make it stink,And a little foolishness decomposes much wisdom.
2. Wise thinking leads to right living;Stupid thinking leads to wrong living.
3. Fools on the road have no sense of direction.The way they walk tells the story: “There goes the fool again!”
4. If a ruler loses his temper against you, don’t panic;A calm disposition quiets intemperate rage.
12-13. The words of a wise person are gracious.The talk of a fool self-destructs—He starts out talking nonsenseAnd ends up spouting insanity and evil.
16-17. Unlucky the land whose king is a young pup,And whose princes party all night.Lucky the land whose king is mature,Where the princes behave themselvesAnd don’t drink themselves silly.