Skip to content
Scripture Mapping

Ecclesiastes 10

World English Bible

WEB

1Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does 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. 3Yes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool. 4If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest. 5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler. 6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. 7I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth. 8He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 9Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it. 10If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success. 11If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue. 12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips. 13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 14A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him? 15The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city. 16Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning! 17Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 18By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks. 19A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things. 20Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Ecclesiastes Chapter 10 presents a series of observations and proverbs that reflect on the nature of wisdom and folly in life. The chapter begins with a striking metaphor, stating that 'dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench' (Ecclesiastes 10:1, ESV), illustrating how a little folly can ruin a reputation or a good work. This highlights the importance of maintaining wisdom in our actions, as even small mistakes can have significant consequences. The author contrasts wise behavior with foolishness, emphasizing that wisdom brings benefits, while folly leads to destruction. The wise person is depicted as having a calm demeanor, while the fool is characterized by impulsive and reckless behavior, which can lead to their own downfall (Ecclesiastes 10:3-4).

The chapter continues with practical advice on leadership and the dangers of foolishness in positions of authority. It warns that a ruler's folly can lead to oppression and chaos (Ecclesiastes 10:5-7). The author also reflects on the unpredictability of life, noting that hard work and diligence are essential, as laziness can lead to ruin (Ecclesiastes 10:18). The chapter concludes with a reminder of the power of words and the importance of speaking wisely, as the tongue can either build up or tear down (Ecclesiastes 10:12-14). Overall, Ecclesiastes 10 serves as a poignant reminder of the value of wisdom in navigating the complexities of life, urging us to seek understanding and act with discernment in all our endeavors. #Wisdom #Folly #Leadership #Ecclesiastes

Study

12 of 14 dimensions

Referenced by

  1. Isaiah 3:12v16Isaiah 3:12 laments that children and women rule over the people, a situation seen as a curse, similar to Ecclesiastes 10:16, which warns against immature leadership.

Topics in this chapter

Related chapters

Your study

Take it with you

This chapter’s study as a Markdown file. The analysis was written for a notebook originally, so the hashtags arrive as hashtags and the passages as links.

Download the analysisDownload it with your notes and highlights