10. If an iron tool is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he needs more strength, and wisdom is advantageous to make right.
11. If the snake bites without enchantment, then ‘the master of the tongue’ is no better!
12. Words of a wise man’s mouth show favour, but the lips of a fool swallow him up;
13. the beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is wicked madness.
14. And a fool increases words; a man knows not what shall come to be; and who declares to him what shall be after him?
15. The labour of fools wearies them, because not one knows how to go to the city!
16. Woe to you, O land, when your sovereign is a youth, and your rulers feast in the morning!
17. Blessed are you, O land, when your sovereign is the son of nobles, and your rulers feast in due season – for strength and not for drunkenness!
18. Because of laziness the framework tumbles, and through idleness of hands the house leaks.