Ecclesiastes 10

Ecclesiastes · Chapter 10

Ecclesiastes 10:2

1Dead 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.2A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.3Yea 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.4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.8He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.9Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.10If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.11Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.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 is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?15The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because 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!17Blessed 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 much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.19A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.20Curse 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.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
2A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
[the] heart ofלֵ֤בlevH3820A
mind

בָּל (bal) mind, heart Aramaic of lev (לֵב "heart" H3820A)

a wise [person]חָכָם֙cha-KHAMH2450
wise

חָכָם (cha.kham) 1) wise, wise (man) 1a) skilful (in technical work) 1b) wise (in administration) 1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle 1d) learned, shrewd (class of men) 1e) prudent 1f) wise (ethically and religiously)

[is] to right [hand] hisלִֽימִינ֔וֹli-mi-NOH3225G
right

יָמִין (ya.min) 1) right, right hand, right side 1a) right hand 1b) right (of direction) 1c) south (the direction of the right hand when facing East) Also means: ya.min (יָמִין ": south" H3225H)

and [the] heart ofוְלֵ֥בve-LEVH3820A
mind

בָּל (bal) mind, heart Aramaic of lev (לֵב "heart" H3820A)

a foolכְּסִ֖ילke-SILH3684
fool

כְּסִיל (ke.sil) fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one

[is] to left [hand] hisלִשְׂמֹאלֽוֹ׃lis-mo-LOH8040G
left

שְׂמֹאל (se.mo.l) 1) the left, the left hand, the left side 1a) left 1b) left hand 1c) north (as one faces east)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.