1. Dead flies can make a whole bottle of perfume stink, and a little stupidity can cancel out the greatest wisdom.
2. It is natural for the wise to do the right thing and for fools to do the wrong thing.
3. Their stupidity will be evident even to strangers they meet along the way; they let everyone know that they are fools.
4. If your ruler becomes angry with you, do not hand in your resignation; serious wrongs may be pardoned if you keep calm.
5. Here is an injustice I have seen in the world — an injustice caused by rulers.
6. Stupid people are given positions of authority while the rich are ignored.
7. I have seen slaves on horseback while noblemen go on foot like slaves.
8. If you dig a pit, you fall in it; if you break through a wall, a snake bites you.
9. If you work in a stone quarry, you get hurt by stones. If you split wood, you get hurt doing it.
10. If your axe is blunt and you don't sharpen it, you have to work harder to use it. It is more sensible to plan ahead.