The theme of this saying is similar to that in 25.5.

“If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked”: This is literally “A ruler listening to word of falsehood—all his officials wicked.” The form of the Hebrew is not a conditional sentence, as Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation may seem to suggest; it is rather cause followed by effect. Contemporary English Version expresses it well: “A ruler who listens to lies will have corrupt officials.” “Listens” renders the same Hebrew verb translated by Revised Standard Version as “be attentive” in 4.1, 20. See the comments there. For “falsehood” see 13.5.

“All his officials” refers to the people who serve or minister to the “ruler”. Most versions say “officials” or “ministers,” but this could also be rendered as “everybody who works for him.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .