Ecclesiastes 10:6-17

6folly is set in many exalted places and in great dignity while the rich sit in humble places.

7I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the ground.

8He who digs a pit [for others] may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a [stone] wall.

9He who quarries stones may be hurt with them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.

10If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength; but wisdom [to sharpen the axe] helps him succeed [with less effort].

11If the serpent bites before being charmed, then there is no profit for the charmer.

12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious and win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him;

13the beginning of his talking is foolishness and the end of his talk is wicked madness.

14Yet the fool multiplies words, though no man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after he is gone?

15The labor of a fool so wearies him [because he is ignorant] that he does not even know how to go to a city.

16Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child and when your [incompetent] officials and princes feast in the morning.

17Blessed [prosperous and admired] are you, O land, when your king is a man of noble birth, and your princes and officials feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness.