The Consequences of Foolishness

• 12 The wise man wins favor by the words of his mouth, but the fool is devoured by his own lips.
• 13 He begins by saying what is foolish and ends by uttering what is wicked delusion.
• 14 The fool talks too much ,[fn] for no one knows what will be.
  • Who can tell anyone what will happen in the future ?[fn]
• 15 The fool is so worn out by a hard day’s work he cannot even find his way home at night .[fn]
• 16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a youth and your princes feast in the morning.
• 17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is a son of nobility and your princes feast at the proper time—
  • to gain strength and not to get drunk.
• 18 Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through idleness of hands the house leaks.
• 19 Feasts are held for celebration ,[fn] wine cheers the living,
  • and money answers everything.
• 20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich even in your own bedroom,
• for a bird of the sky may carry your voice;
  • a winged messenger may repeat your words.