Ecclesiastes 10

1 Dead flies make *Ex. 30:25the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench;

so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

2 *[ch. 2:14]A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right,

but a fool’s heart to the left.

3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense,

and he *[Prov. 13:16;18:2]says to everyone that he is a fool.

4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, *[ch. 8:3] do not leave your place,

*[1 Sam. 25:24,32,33]; See Prov. 25:15for calmness*10:4 Hebrew healing will lay great offenses to rest.

5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were *ch. 5:6an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 *[Esth. 3:1;Prov. 28:12;29:2]folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7 *Prov. 19:10;[Prov. 30:22] I have seen slaves *[Esth. 6:8]on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

8 He who *See Ps. 7:15digs a pit will fall into it,

and *Amos 5:19a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.

9 *[1 Chr. 22:2] He who quarries stones is hurt by them,

and he who *[Deut. 19:5]splits logs is endangered by them.

10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,

he must use more strength,

but wisdom helps one to succeed.*10:10 Or wisdom is an advantage for success

11 If the serpent bites before it is *[Jer. 8:17]charmed,

there is no advantage to the charmer.

12 The words of a wise man’s mouth *Prov. 10:32;22:11;[Luke 4:22] win him favor,*10:12 Or are gracious

but *See Prov. 18:7the lips of a fool consume him.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,

and the end of his talk is evil madness.

14 *See Prov. 15:2A fool multiplies words,

though no man knows what is to be,

and who can tell him *See ch. 3:22what will be after him?

15 The toil of a fool wearies him,

for he does not know *[Isa. 35:8]the way to the city.

16 *Isa. 3:4,12;[2 Chr. 13:7]Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,

and your princes feast in the morning!

17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility,

and your princes feast at the proper time,

for strength, and not for *[Prov. 31:4;Isa. 5:11]drunkenness!

18 Through sloth the roof sinks in,

and through indolence the house leaks.

19 Bread is made for laughter,

and *See Ps. 104:15wine gladdens life,

and *[ch. 7:12]money answers everything.

20 Even in your thoughts, *Ex. 22:28do not curse the king,

nor in your *See 2 Kgs. 6:12;Luke 12:3bedroom curse the rich,

for a bird of the air will carry your voice,

or some winged creature tell the matter.