Ecclesiastes 10:1-14 ▼

1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the perfumer to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.

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

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

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

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

6 folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

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

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

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

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

11 If the serpent bite before it be charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.

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

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

14 A fool also multiplieth words: yet man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?