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Ecclesiastes, the Preacher

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- Chapter 10 -

Wisdom and folly

1
Dying flies ruin the sweetness of the ointment. Wisdom and glory is more precious than a brief and limited foolishness.(a)
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
Moreover, as a foolish man is walking along the way, even though he himself is unwise, he considers everyone to be foolish.
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
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, proceeding from the presence of a prince, as if by mistake:
6
a foolish man appointed to a high dignity, and the rich sitting beneath him.
7
I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking on the ground like servants.
8
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. And whoever tears apart a hedge, a snake will bite him.
9
Whoever carries away stones will be harmed by them. And whoever cuts down trees will be wounded by them.
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
Whoever slanders in secret is nothing less than a snake that bites silently.
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
At the beginning of his words is foolishness, and at the end of his talk is a most grievous error.(b)
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
The hardship of the foolish will afflict those who do not know to go into the city.
16
Woe to you, the land whose king is a boy, and whose princes consume in the morning.
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
By laziness, a framework shall be brought down, and by the weakness of hands, a house shall collapse through.
19
While laughing, they make bread and wine, so that the living may feast. And all things are obedient to money.
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.

Footnotes

(a)10:1 The phrase ‘ad tempus’ means ‘to a time’ or ‘to a point,’ indicating not so much brevity, but the definitiveness of the ending.(Conte)
(b)10:13 These verses about the foolish man may be taken to refer, to some extent, to the Antichrist.(Conte)

Wisdom and folly

1
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
2
A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
3
Yes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4
If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
5
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
6
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
7
I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
8
He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9
Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.
10
If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
11
If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.
12
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
13
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14
A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
15
The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
16
Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
17
Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18
By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
19
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
20
Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.
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