Ecclesiastes 10:1-14 ▼

1 Dead flies make the ointment of the perfumer fetid and putrid; So doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.

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

3 Yea also, when a 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 gentleness allayeth great offences.

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, Like an error which proceedeth from a ruler:

6 Folly is set on great heights, 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 quarrieth 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 is charmed, Then the charmer hath no advantage.

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 grievous 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?