Ecclesiastes 10:4-13
English Standard Version
Chapter 10
4If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest. 5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
10If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
11If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.
12The words of a wise man 's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.
