1Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink [and] ferment; [so] a little folly is weightier than wisdom [and] honour.
1 Hamni bi buuko yaŋ ga waddi teeko jiyo fumbandi. Yaadin mo no saamotaray kayna ga hin ka laakal da beeray sara.
2The heart of a wise [man] is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
2 Laakalkooni bine go a kambe ŋwaari do haray, Amma saamo bine go a kambe wowo do haray.
3Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his sense faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.
3 Oho, baa saamo go fondo boŋ ga koy, A fahama ga gaze a se. A ga ne boro kulu se kaŋ nga ya saamo no.
4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences.
4 Da bonkoono futu ni se, Ma si fay da ni kayyaŋo do, Zama lalabu ga taali beeri yaŋ sasabandi.
5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error [that] proceedeth from the ruler:
5 Hasaraw fo go no kaŋ ay di beena cire, Danga zunubi laalo no kaŋ dabarikoy ga te:
6folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place.
6 Nga ga ti i ma saamo daŋ nangu beerey ra, Arzakantey mo nangu kayney ra.
7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
7 Ay di bannyayaŋ bariyaŋ boŋ, Bonkooni izeyaŋ mo goono ga dira ce gaa danga bannyayaŋ.
8He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him.
8 Boro kaŋ na guusu fansi, Hambara nga no ga kaŋ a ra. Boro kaŋ na cinari fun mo, hambara nga no gondi ga nama.
9Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.
9 Boro kaŋ ga tondiyaŋ jabu, Hambara i g'a maray. Boro kaŋ ga tuuri fara, Nga mo ga furo i kataru ra.
10If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success.
10 Da deesi meyo bu, boro man'a kaanandi mo, Kala ni ma gaabi daŋ ka tonton. Amma laakal gonda nafa ka goyo gasandi.
11If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.
11 Da gondi na boro nama za i mana safari te a se, Yaamo no safarikoyo safaro.
12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself.
12 Laakalkooni me sanney gonda sabbu, Amma saamo meyo ga saamo gon no.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
13 A me sanni sintinayey kala saamotaray, A sanni banantey mo follokomtaray laalo no.
14And the fool multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will tell him?
14 Koyne, saamo ga ni hanga bagu da sanni boobo. Amma boro si bay haŋ kaŋ no ga te. May no ga ci a se han kaŋ ga te a banda mo?
15The labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city.
15 Saamo goyo g'a fargandi gumo, Hal a si baa waani mate kaŋ nga te ka koy kwaara do.
16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
16 Kaari nin, ya laabo, Da ni bonkoono ya zanka kayna no, Ni koy kayney mo ga ŋwa za susubay da hinay!
17Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, and thy princes eat in [due] season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
17 Bine kaanikoy no, ya nin laabo, Da ni bonkoono ya boro beeri ize no, Ni koy kayney mo ga ŋwa alwaati kaŋ ga hagu ra, Zama i ma te gaabi, Manti i ma haŋ ka bugu se.
18By much sloth fulness the framework falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth.
18 Hawfunay sabbay se no, fu sabb'ize ga nokko. Dirgay sabbay se mo no, fu ga furgu.
19A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh life merry; but money answereth everything.
19 I na buci te haaray sabbay se, Duvan* mo bine ma kaan sabbay se, Nooru mo, nga no ga ti hay kulu safari.
20Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.
20 Ma si ni bonkoono wow, baa ni bina ra. Ma si arzakante mo wow ni kaniyaŋ fuwo ra, Zama beene curayze ga kande ni jinda, Fatakoy mo ga baaro no.