| 1 | 死嗞蠅、使作香的膏油發出臭氣.這樣、一點愚昧、也能敗壞智慧和尊榮。
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 | 並且愚昧人行路、顯出無知.對眾人說、他是愚昧人。
Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.
| |
| 4 | 掌權者的心、若向你發怒、不要離開你的本位、因為柔和能免大過。
If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.
| |
| 5 | 我見日光之下、有一件禍患、似乎出於掌權的錯誤、
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 | 我見過僕人騎馬、王子像僕人在地上步行。
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.拆牆垣的、必為蛇所咬。
Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
| |
| 9 | 鑿開〔或作挪移〕石頭的、必受損傷.劈開木頭的、必遭危險。
Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.
| |
| 10 | 鐵器鈍了、若不將刃磨快、就必多費氣力.但得智慧指教、便有益處。
If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.
| |
| 11 | 未行法術以先、蛇若咬人、後行法術也是無益。
If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
| |
| 12 | 智慧人的口、說出恩言.愚昧人的嘴、吞滅自己。
Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.
| |
| 13 | 他口中的言語、起頭是愚昧.他話的末尾、是奸惡的狂妄。
At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness--
| |
| 14 | 愚昧人多有言語、人卻不知將來有甚麼事.他身後的事、誰能告訴他呢。
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、他的勞碌使自己困乏.因為連進城的路他也不知道。
A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town.
| |
| 16 | 邦國阿、你的王若是孩童、你的群臣早晨宴樂、你就有禍了。
Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning.
| |
| 17 | 邦國阿、你的王若是貴冑之子、你的群臣按時喫喝、為要補力、不為酒醉、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 | 因人懶惰、房頂塌下.因人手懶、房屋滴漏。
If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.
| |
| 19 | 設擺筵席、是為喜笑.酒能使人快活、錢能叫萬事應心。
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
| |
| 20 | 你不可咒詛君王、也不可心懷此念.在你臥房也不可咒詛富戶.因為空中的鳥、必傳揚這聲音.有翅膀的、也必述說這事。
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.
| |