[[Ecclesiastes 9|<< Ecclesiastes 9]] | [[Ecclesiastes|Ecclesiastes]] | [[Ecclesiastes 11|Ecclesiastes 11 >>]] ### Ecclesiastes 10 1 DEAD flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: _so_ _doth_ a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom _and_ honor. ^1 2 A wise man's heart _is_ at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. ^2 3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walks by the way, his wisdom fails _him_, and he saith to every one _that_ he _is_ a fool. ^3 4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifies great offences. ^4 5 There is an evil _which_ I have seen under the sun, as an error _which_ proceeds from the ruler: ^5 6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. ^6 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. ^7 8 He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaks an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. ^8 9 Whoso removes stones shall be hurt therewith; _and_ he that cleaves wood shall be endangered thereby. ^9 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. ^10 11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. ^11 12 The words of a wise man's mouth _are_ gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. ^12 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth _is_ foolishness: and the end of his talk _is_ mischievous madness. ^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? ^14 15 The labor of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city. ^15 16 ¶ Woe to thee, O land, when thy king _is_ a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! ^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! ^17 18 ¶ By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house drops through. ^18 19 ¶ A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: but money answers all _things_. ^19 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 has wings shall tell the matter. ^20