Ecclesiastes 10

1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth an offensive odor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:1

2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart is at his left.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:2

3 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.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:3

4 If the spirit of the ruler riseth against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offenses.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:4

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:5

6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:6

7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:7

8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:8

9 Whoever removeth stones shall be hurt by them; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered by it.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:9

10 If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:10

11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:11

12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:12

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:13

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?WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:14

15 The labor of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:15

16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:16

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!WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:17

18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:18

19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:19

20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber: for a bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.WBS — Ecclesiastes 10:20