1 死苍蝇,使作香的膏油发出臭气。这样,一点愚昧,也能败坏智慧和尊荣。 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. |
2 智慧人的心居右。愚昧人的心居左。 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. |
3 并且愚昧人行路,显出无知。对众人说,他是愚昧人。 Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is. |
4 掌权者的心,若向你发怒,不要离开你的本位,因为柔和能免大过。 If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest. |
5 我见日光之下,有一件祸患,似乎出于掌权的错误, There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: |
6 就是愚昧人立在高位。富足人坐在低位。 Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones. |
7 我见过仆人骑马,王子像仆人在地上步行。 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves. |
8 挖陷坑的,自己必掉在其中。拆墙垣的,必为蛇所咬。 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. |
9 凿开(或作挪移)石头的,必受损伤。劈开木头的,必遭危险。 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. |
10 铁器钝了,若不将刃磨快,就必多费气力。但得智慧指教,便有益处。 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success. |
11 未行法术以先,蛇若咬人,后行法术也是无益。 If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. |
12 智慧人的口,说出恩言。愚昧人的嘴,吞灭自己。 Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips. |
13 他口中的言语,起头是愚昧。他话的末尾,是奸恶的狂妄。 At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness-- |
14 愚昧人多有言语,人却不知将来有什么事。他身后的事,谁能告诉他呢? and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming--who can tell him what will happen after him? |
15 凡愚昧人,他的劳碌使自己困乏。因为连进城的路他也不知道。 A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town. |
16 邦国阿,你的王若是孩童,你的群臣早晨宴乐,你就有祸了。 Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning. |
17 邦国阿,你的王若是贵胄之子,你的群臣按时吃喝,为要补力,不为酒醉,你就有福了。 Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time--for strength and not for drunkenness. |
18 因人懒惰,房顶塌下。因人手懒,房屋滴漏。 If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks. |
19 设摆筵席,是为喜笑。酒能使人快活,钱能叫万事应心。 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything. |
20 你不可咒诅君王,也不可心怀此念。在你卧房也不可咒诅富户。因为空中的鸟,必传扬这声音。有翅膀的,也必述说这事。 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say. |