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Ecclesiastes 10

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1Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; [so] doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15The labor of fools wearieth every one of them; for 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!

17Happy 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 slothfulness the roof sinketh in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh.

19A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and money answereth all things.

20Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

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Key Words and Topics

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Related Topics

Anger: Meekness Pacifies Ecclesiastes 10:4

If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

Apothecary: Ointment of Ecclesiastes 10:1

As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

Citizens: Duties of Ecclesiastes 10:4, 20

If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest. / Do 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.

Democracy Ecclesiastes 10:2

A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.

Fence: Hedge Ecclesiastes 10:8

He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.

Fool: General Scriptures Concerning Ecclesiastes 10:11–15

If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. / The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. / The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.

Fools: Are: Full of Words Ecclesiastes 10:14

Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?

Gluttony of Princes, Ruinous to Their People Ecclesiastes 10:16, 17

Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning. / Blessed 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.

Idle Hands Ecclesiastes 10:18

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

Insects: Fly Ecclesiastes 10:1

As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

King: Loyalty To, Enjoined Ecclesiastes 10:20

Do 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.

Kings: Curse Not, Even in Thought Ecclesiastes 10:20

Do 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.

Loyalty: Enjoined Ecclesiastes 10:4

If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

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