9. Anyone who moves large stones might be hurt by them.And anyone who cuts logs might get hurt while doing it.
10. Cutting logs with a dull axmakes you work harder.A wise man will sharpen his ax.In the same way, wisdom can make any job easier.
11. Someone might know how to control snakes.But what good is such wisdom if the snake has already bitten him?
12. A wise man’s words bring him praise.But a foolish person’s words will destroy him.
13. A foolish person begins by saying something foolish.In the end he is saying even crazier things.
14. A foolish person talks too much about what he will do.No one knows the future.No one can tell him what will happen after he dies.
15. A foolish person doesn’t know even the most obvious things.He can’t even find his way back to town.So he has to wear himself out working.
16. How terrible it will be for a countryif its king is a child.How terrible it will be for that countryif its leaders have parties all the time.
17. A country is well offif its king comes from a good family.It is good for a countryif its leaders control their eating and drinking.They should eat and drink for strength,not to get drunk.
18. If a person is lazy and doesn’t repair the roof,it will begin to fall.If he refuses to fix it,the house will leak.
19. A party makes you feel good.And wine makes you feel happy.But both cost you a lot of money.
20. Don’t say or think bad things about the king.And don’t say bad things about rich people even alone in your bedroom.A little bird might report it to others.A bird might fly to them and tell all you said.