Ecclesiastes 10

Miscellaneous Observations

¹⁰Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a foul odor;^v

so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

²The heart of the wise inclines to the right,

but the heart of a fool to the left.

³Even when fools walk on the road, they lack sense

and show to everyone that they are fools.^*

⁴If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post,

for calmness will undo great offenses.^*

⁵There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as great an error as if it proceeded from the ruler: ⁶folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.^{* 7}I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

⁸Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,

and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a snake.^*

⁹Whoever quarries stones will be hurt by them,

and whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.

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

then more strength must be exerted,

but wisdom helps one to succeed.

¹¹If the snake bites before it is charmed,

there is no advantage in a charmer.^*

¹²Words spoken by the wise bring them favor,

but the lips of fools consume them.^*

¹³The words of their mouths begin in foolishness,

and their talk ends in wicked madness,^*

¹⁴yet fools talk on and on.

No one knows what is to happen,

and who can tell anyone what the future holds?^*

¹⁵The toil of fools wears them out,

for they do not even know the way to town.

¹⁶Alas for you, O land, when your king is a child

and your princes feast in the morning!^*

¹⁷Happy are you, O land, when your king is a nobleman,

and your princes feast at the proper time—

for strength and not for drunkenness!^*

¹⁸Through sloth the roof sinks in,

and through indolence the house leaks.^*

¹⁹Feasts are made for laughter,

wine gladdens life,

and money meets every need.^*

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

or curse the rich, even in your bedroom,

for a bird of the air may carry your voice,

or some winged creature tell the matter.^*