Ecclesiastes 10

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BBE WEB

To preserve a character for wisdom

Dead flies make the oil of the perfumer give out an evil smell; more valued is a little wisdom than the great glory of the foolish. Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
The heart of the wise man goes in the right direction; but the heart of a foolish man in the wrong. A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
And when the foolish man is walking in the way, he has no sense and lets everyone see that he is foolish. Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

About subjects and rulers

If the wrath of the ruler is against you, keep in your place; in him who keeps quiet even great sins may be overlooked. If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which comes by chance from a ruler: There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
The foolish are placed in high positions, but men of wealth are kept low. Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
I have seen servants on horses, and rulers walking on the earth as servants. I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
He who makes a hole for others will himself go into it, and for him who makes a hole through a wall the bite of a snake will be a punishment. He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
He who gets out stones from the earth will be damaged by them, and in the cutting of wood there is danger. Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered thereby.
If the iron has no edge, and he does not make it sharp, then he has to put out more strength; but wisdom makes things go well. If the axe is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.

Of foolish talk

If a snake gives a bite before the word of power is said, then there is no longer any use in the word of power. If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.
The words of a wise man's mouth are sweet to all, but the lips of a foolish man are his destruction. The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
The first words of his mouth are foolish, and the end of his talk is evil crime. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
The foolish are full of words; man has no knowledge of what will be; and who is able to say what will be after him? A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
The work of the foolish will be a weariness to him, because he has no knowledge of the way to the town. The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.

Duties of rulers and subjects

Unhappy is the land whose king is a boy, and whose rulers are feasting in the morning. Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
Happy is the land whose ruler is of noble birth, and whose chiefs take food at the right time, for strength and not for feasting. Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
When no work is done the roof goes in, and when the hands do nothing water comes into the house. By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
A feast is for laughing, and wine makes glad the heart; but by the one and the other money is wasted. A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
Say not a curse against the king, even in your thoughts; and even secretly say not a curse against the man of wealth; because a bird of the air will take the voice, and that which has wings will give news of it. Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom: for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.
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