Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
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A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
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Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
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If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
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There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
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Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
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I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
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He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
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Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
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If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
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Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
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The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
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The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
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A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
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The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
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Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
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Blessed 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!
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By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
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A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
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Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
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Ecclesiastes 10 Study & Commentary
A collection of "Aphorisms on Folly." Qoheleth describes how a "little folly" destroys a great reputation. He analyzes the danger of "Incompetent Leadership" (v. 16) and the practical necessity of "Wisdom for Success," ending with the famous warning that "money answereth all things" (in the context of earthly utility).
THEOLOGICAL CONTEXT
1. The Right-Hand Heart: The wise man’s heart is at his "right hand" (place of strength/dexterity), while the fool’s is at his left (v. 2).2. The Danger of Discord: Removing stones and cleaving wood involves risk; folly increases the danger, but wisdom "is profitable to direct" (v. 10).
PRACTICAL LESSONS
1. Vigilance in Speech: The "lips of a fool will swallow up himself" (v. 12).2. Diligence in Governance: Warning against "slothfulness" that causes the "building to decay" (v. 18).
