Ecclesiastes 10:1-14 ▼

1 Dead flies cause a perfumer’s perfume || To send forth a stink; The precious by reason of wisdom—By reason of honor—a little folly!

2 The heart of the wise [is] at his right hand, || And the heart of a fool at his left.

3 And also, when he that is a fool || Is walking in the way, his heart is lacking, || And he has said to everyone, “He [is] a fool.”

4 If the spirit of the ruler goes up against you, do not leave your place, || For yielding quiets great sinners.

5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, || As ignorance that goes out from the ruler,

6 He has set the fool in many high places, || And the rich sits in a low place.

7 I have seen servants on horses, || And princes walking as servants on the earth.

8 Whoever is digging a pit falls into it, || And whoever is breaking a hedge, a serpent bites him.

9 Whoever is removing stones is grieved by them, || Whoever is cleaving trees endangered by them.

10 If the iron has been blunt, || And he has not sharpened the face, || Then he increases strength, || And wisdom [is] advantageous to make right.

11 If the serpent bites without enchantment, || Then there is no advantage to a master of the tongue.

12 Words of the mouth of the wise [are] gracious, || And the lips of a fool swallow him up.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth [is] folly, || And the latter end of his mouth || [Is] mischievous madness.

14 And the fool multiplies words: “Man does not know that which is—And that which is after him, who declares to him?”