Ecclesiastes 10:9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.

◄ Ecclesiastes 10:9 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.

English Standard Version
He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.

New American Standard Bible
He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them; the one who splits trees may be endangered by them.

International Standard Version
Someone who quarries stone might be injured; someone splitting logs can fall into danger.

American Standard Version
Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.

Douay-Rheims Bible
He that removeth stones, shall be hurt by them: and he that cutteth trees, shall be wounded by them.

Darby Bible Translation
Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.

Young's Literal Translation
Whoso is removing stones is grieved by them, Whoso is cleaving trees endangered by them.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

10:4-10 Solomon appears to caution men not to seek redress in a hasty manner, nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion, quit thy post of duty; wait awhile, and thou wilt find that yielding pacifies great offences. Men are not preferred according to their merit. And those are often most forward to offer help, who are least aware of the difficulties, or the consequences. The same remark is applied to the church, or the body of Christ, that all the members should have the same care one for another.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

9. removeth stones—namely, of an ancient building [Weiss]. His neighbor's landmarks [Holden]. Cuts out from the quarry [Maurer].

endangered—by the splinters, or by the head of the hatchet, flying back on himself. Pithy aphorisms are common in the East. The sense is: Violations of true wisdom recoil on the perpetrators.