Ecclesiastes 10

The Burden of Folly

1 Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil ferment and stink;  * 10:1 Ex 30:25

so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

2 A wise person’s heart goes to the  * 10:2 Lit his  right,

but a fool’s heart to the left.

3 Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense,

and he shows everyone he is a fool.  * 10:3 Pr 13:16; 18:2

4 If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your post,  * 10:4 Ec 8:3

for calmness puts great offenses to rest.  * 10:4 1Sm 25:24–33; Pr 25:15

5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:

6 The fool is appointed to great heights,  * 10:6 Est 3:1; Pr 28:12; 29:2

but the rich remain in lowly positions.

7 I have seen slaves on horses,  * 10:7 Pr 19:10

but princes walking on the ground like slaves.  * 10:7 Est 6:8–10

8 The one who digs a pit may fall into it,  * 10:8 Ps 7:15

and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.  * 10:8 Am 5:19

9 The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them;

the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.

10 If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge,

then one must exert more strength;

however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.

11 If the snake bites before it is charmed,  * 10:11 Jr 8:17

then there is no advantage for the charmer.  * 10:11 Lit master of the tongue

12 The words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious,  * 10:12 Pr 10:32; 22:11; Lk 4:22

but the lips of a fool consume him.  * 10:12 Pr 18:7

13 The beginning of the words from his mouth is folly,

but the end of his speaking is evil madness;

14 yet the fool multiplies words.

No one knows what will happen,

and who can tell anyone what will happen after him?  * 10:14 Ec 8:7,17

15 The struggles of fools weary them,

for they don’t know how to go to the city.

16 Woe to you, land, when your king is a youth  * 10:16 Pr 30:21–22; Is 3:4,12

and your princes feast in the morning.

17 Blessed are you, land, when your king is a son of nobles

and your princes feast at the proper time —

for strength and not for drunkenness.  * 10:17 Pr 31:4; Is 5:11

18 Because of laziness the roof caves in,

and because of negligent hands the house leaks.

19 A feast is prepared for laughter,

and wine makes life happy,  * 10:19 Ps 104:15

and money  * 10:19 Lit silver is the answer for everything.  * 10:19 Ec 7:12

20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts,  * 10:20 Ex 22:28

and do not curse a rich person even in your bedroom,  * 10:20 2Kg 6:12; Lk 12:3

for a bird of the sky may carry the message,

and a winged creature may report the matter.