Ecclesiastes 10

1Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.footnote a

2A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.

3Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.footnote b

4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:footnote c

6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.footnote d

7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

8He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

9Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

10If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

11Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.footnote e

12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.footnote f

13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.footnote g

14A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?footnote h

15The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!

17Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

18By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

19A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.footnote i

20Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.footnote j

Wisdom and Folly

1As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil,so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 2A wise man’s heart inclines to the right,but the heart of a fool to the left. 3Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking,and he shows everyone that he is a fool. 4If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post,for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

5There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler: 6Folly is appointed to great heights,but the rich sit in lowly positions. 7I have seen slaves on horseback,while princes go on foot like slaves.

8He who digs a pit may fall into it,and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake. 9The one who quarries stones may be injured by them,and he who splits logs endangers himself. 10If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened,more strength must be exerted,but skill produces success. 11If the snake bites before it is charmed,there is no profit for the charmer.

12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious,but the lips of a fool consume him. 13The beginning of his talk is folly,and the end of his speech is evil madness. 14Yet the fool multiplies words.No one knows what is coming,and who can tell him what will come after him? 15The toil of a fool wearies him,for he does not know the way to the city.

16Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth,footnote aand whose princes feast in the morning. 17Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles,and whose princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness.

18Through laziness the roof caves in,and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.

19A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry,but money is the answer for everything.

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 words,and a winged creature may report your speech.