Eclesiastés/Qohelet 10

BIBLIA	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Una mosca muerta pudre una copa de ungüento de perfumista; monta más un poco de necedad que sabiduría y honor.	1 Dying flies ruin the sweetness of the ointment. Wisdom and glory is more precious than a brief and limited foolishness.
2 El sabio tiene el corazón a la derecha, el necio tiene el corazón a la izquierda.	2 The heart of a wise man is in his right hand, and the heart of a foolish man is in his left hand.
3 Además, en cualquier camino que tome el necio, su entendimiento no le da de sí y dice de todo el mundo: «Ese es un necio».	3 Moreover, as a foolish man is walking along the way, even though he himself is unwise, he considers everyone to be foolish.
4 Si el enojo del que manda se abate sobre ti, no abandones tu puesto, que la flema libra de graves yerros.	4 If the spirit of one who holds authority rises over you, do not leave your place, because attentiveness will cause the greatest sins to cease.
5 Otra calamidad he visto bajo el sol, como error que emana de la autoridad:	5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, proceeding from the presence of a prince, as if by mistake:
6 La necedad elevada a grandes dignidades, mientras ricos se sentaban abajo.	6 a foolish man appointed to a high dignity, and the rich sitting beneath him.
7 He visto siervos a caballo, y príncipes que iban a pie, como los siervos.	7 I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking on the ground like servants.
8 El que cava la hoya cae en ella, y al que atraviesa el seto le muerde la culebra.	8 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. And whoever tears apart a hedge, a snake will bite him.
9 El que saca piedras se lastima con ellas, el que raja maderos puede hacerse daño.	9 Whoever carries away stones will be harmed by them. And whoever cuts down trees will be wounded by them.
10 Si se embota el hierro y no se afilan sus caras, hay que acrecentar los bríos: también supone ganancia afinar en sabiduría.	10 If the iron is dull, and if it was not that way before, but has been made dull by much labor, then it will be sharpened. And wisdom will follow after diligence.
11 Si pica culebra por falta de encatamiento no hay ganancia para el encantador.	11 Whoever slanders in secret is nothing less than a snake that bites silently.
12 Palabras de boca de sabio agradan, mas los labios del necio a él lo engullen.	12 Words from the mouth of a wise man are graceful, but the lips of a foolish man will throw him down with violence.
13 Empieza diciendo necedades, para acabar en locura de las malas.	13 At the beginning of his words is foolishness, and at the end of his talk is a most grievous error.
14 Y el necio dice más y más palabras. Nadie sabe lo que vas venir, y el remate de todo, ¿quién puede pronosticárselo?	14 The fool multiplies his words. A man does not know what has been before him, and who is able to reveal to him what will be in the future after him?
15 Lo que más molesta al necio es que no sabe ir a la ciudad.	15 The hardship of the foolish will afflict those who do not know to go into the city.
16 ¡Ay de ti, tierra, cuyo rey es un chiquillo, y cuyos príncipes comen de mañana!	16 Woe to you, the land whose king is a boy, and whose princes consume in the morning.
17 ¡Dichosa tú, tierra, cuyo rey es hidalgo y cuyos príncipes comen a la hora, por cobrar vigor y no por banquetear!	17 Blessed is the land whose king is noble, and whose princes eat at the proper time, for refreshment and not for self-indulgence.
18 Por estar mano sobre mano se desploma la viga, y por brazos caídos la casa se viene abajo.	18 By laziness, a framework shall be brought down, and by the weakness of hands, a house shall collapse through.
19 Para holgar preparan su banquete, y el vino alegra la vida, y el dinero todo lo allana.	19 While laughing, they make bread and wine, so that the living may feast. And all things are obedient to money.
20 Ni aun en tu rincón faltes al rey, ni en tu misma alcoba faltes al rico, que un pájaro del cielo hace correr la voz, y un ser alado va a contar la cosa.	20 You should not slander the king, even in your thoughts, and you should not speak evil of a wealthy man, even in your private chamber. For even the birds of the air will carry your voice, and whatever has wings will announce your opinion.