Ecclesiastes 10:12-20 - 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}, for no one knows what will be. Who can tell anyone what will happen {in the future}? ¹⁵ The fool is so worn out by a hard day's work {he cannot even find his way home at night}. 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}, 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.