Ecclesiastes 10:18

Ecclesiastes 10 is a collection of proverbs on wisdom and folly, opening with the image that dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink, so a little folly ruins one respected for wisdom and honor. It contrasts the wise man's heart at his right hand with the fool's at his left, and counsels patience and yielding when a ruler's anger rises. The chapter warns against slothfulness that lets buildings decay, notes that feasts and wine make merry but money answers all things, and closes by cautioning not to curse the king even in thought, for a bird of the air may carry the voice.