Ecclesiastes 10
1
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.
2
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
3
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.
4
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for
yielding pacifieth great offences.
5
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which
proceedeth from the ruler:
6
Folly is set in great dignity, 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 an hedge, a
serpent shall bite him.
9
Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood
shall be endangered thereby.
10
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.
11
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no
better.
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 mischievous madness.
14
A fool also is full of
words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who
can tell him?
15
The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth
not how to go to the city.
16
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the
morning!
17
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!
18
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the
hands the house droppeth through.
19
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all
things.
20
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.