Ecclesiastes 10:5-20 - The Ironies Of Life

⁵ Here's another tragedy that I've observed on earth, a kind of error that comes from an overseer:

⁶ Foolishness is given great honor, while the prosperous sit in lowly places. ⁷ And I have observed servants riding on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants.

⁸ Whoever digs a pit may fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall may suffer a snake bite. ⁹ Someone who quarries stone might be injured; someone splitting logs can fall into danger. ¹⁰ If someone's ax is blunt the edge isn't sharpened then more strength will be needed. Putting wisdom to work will bring success. ¹¹ If a serpent strikes despite being charmed, there's no point in being a snake charmer. ¹² The words spoken by the wise are gracious, but the lips of a fool will devour him. ¹³ He begins his speech with foolishness, and concludes it with evil madness. ¹⁴ The fool overflows with words, and no one can predict what will happen. As to what will happen after him, who can explain it? ¹⁵ The work of a fool so wears him out that he can't even find his way to town. ¹⁶ Woe to the land whose king is a youth and whose princes feast in the morning. ¹⁷ That land is blessed whose king is of noble birth, whose princes feast at the right time, for strength, and not to become drunk. ¹⁸ Through slothfulness the roof deteriorates, and a house leaks because of idleness. ¹⁹ Festivals are for laughter, wine makes life pleasant, and money speaks to everything. ²⁰ Do not curse the king, even in your thoughts. Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom. For a bird will fly by and tell what you say, or something with wings may talk about it.