Ecclesiastes 10

The Burden of Folly

1 Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil ferment and stink; r

so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

2 A wise person’s heart goes to the Q 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. s

4 If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your post, t

for calmness puts great offenses to rest. u

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, v

but the rich remain in lowly positions.

7 I have seen slaves on horses, w

but princes walking on the ground like slaves. x

8 The one who digs a pit may fall into it, y

and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. z

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, a

then there is no advantage for the charmer. R

12 The words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, b

but the lips of a fool consume him. c

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? d

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 e

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. f

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, g

and money S is the answer for everything. h

20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, i

and do not curse a rich person even in your bedroom, j

for a bird of the sky may carry the message,

and a winged creature may report the matter.