Ecclesiastes 10

1 As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

1 死苍蝇会使芬芳的膏油发臭， 同样，一点点愚昧足以毁掉智慧和尊荣。

2 A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.

2 智者的心引导他走正路， 愚人的心带领他入歧途。

3 Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.

3 愚人走路时也无知， 向众人显出他的愚昧。

4 If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

4 如果当权的人向你大发雷霆， 不要因此就离开岗位， 因为平心静气能避免大错。

5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler:

5 我发现日光之下有一件可悲的事， 似乎是掌权者所犯的错误：

6 Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.

6 愚人身居许多高位， 富人却屈居在下。

7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.

7 我曾看见奴仆骑在马上， 王子却像奴仆一样步行。

8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.

8 挖掘陷阱的，自己必掉在其中； 拆围墙的，必被蛇咬；

9 The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.

9 开凿石头的，必被石头砸伤； 劈木头的，必遭木头的威胁。

10 If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.

10 斧头钝了若不磨利， 用起来必多费力气， 但智慧能助人成功。

11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

11 弄蛇人行法术之前， 若先被蛇咬， 行法术还有什么用呢？

12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.

12 智者口出恩言， 愚人的话毁灭自己。

13 The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.

13 愚人开口是愚昧， 闭口是邪恶狂妄。

14 Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?

14 愚人高谈阔论， 其实无人知道将来的事， 人死后，谁能告诉他世间的事呢？

15 The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.

15 愚人因劳碌而筋疲力尽， 连进城的路也认不出来。

16 Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.

16 一国之君若年幼无知， 他的臣宰清早便宴乐， 那国就有祸了！

17 Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness.

17 一国之君若英明尊贵， 他的臣宰为了强身而饮食有律， 不酗酒宴乐，那国就有福了！

18 Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.

18 屋顶因人懒惰而坍塌， 房间因人游手好闲而漏雨。

19 A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.

19 宴席带来欢笑， 酒使人开怀， 钱使人万事亨通。

20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech.

20 不可咒诅君王， 连这样的意念都不可有， 也不可在卧室里咒诅富豪， 因为天空的飞鸟会通风报信， 有翅膀的会把事情四处传开。