Ecclesiastes 10:6-17

6folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. 7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth.

8He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a wall, a serpent shall bite him. 9Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby. 10If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. 11If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.

12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 14A fool also multiplieth words: yet man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him? 15The labor of fools wearieth every one of them; for he knoweth not how to go to the city.

16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 17Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!