Ecclesiastes 10 :: New English Translation (NET)

A Little Foolishness

Ecc 10:1One dead fly makes the perfumer's ointment give off a rancid stench, so a little folly can outweigh much wisdom.

Ecc 10:2

Ecc 10:2A wise person's good sense protects him, but a fool's lack of sense leaves him vulnerable.

Ecc 10:3

Ecc 10:3Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, and shows everyone what a fool he is.

Ecc 10:4

Ecc 10:4If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses.

Ecc 10:5

Ecc 10:5I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes.

Ecc 10:6

Ecc 10:6Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions.

Ecc 10:7

Ecc 10:7I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on foot like slaves.

Ecc 10:8

Ecc 10:8One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

Ecc 10:9

Ecc 10:9One who quarries stones may be injured by them; one who splits logs may be endangered by them.

Ecc 10:10

Ecc 10:10If an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

Ecc 10:11

Ecc 10:11If the snake should bite before it is charmed, the snake charmer is in trouble.

Ecc 10:12

Ecc 10:12The words of a wise person win him favor, but the words of a fool are self-destructive.

Ecc 10:13

Ecc 10:13At the beginning his words are foolish and at the end his talk is wicked madness,

Ecc 10:14

Ecc 10:14yet a fool keeps on babbling. No one knows what will happen; who can tell him what will happen in the future?

Ecc 10:15

Ecc 10:15The toil of a stupid fool wears him out, because he does not even know the way to the city.

Ecc 10:16

Ecc 10:16Woe to you, O land, when your king is childish, and your princes feast in the morning!

Ecc 10:17

Ecc 10:17Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time - with self-control and not in drunkenness.

Ecc 10:18

Ecc 10:18Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of idle hands the house leaks.

Ecc 10:19

Ecc 10:19Feasts are made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.

Ecc 10:20

Ecc 10:20Do not curse a king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich while in your bedroom; for a bird might report what you are thinking, or some winged creature might repeat your words.

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Ecclesiastes Chapter 10 — Additional Translations:

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Ecclesiastes 10 :: New English Translation (NET)

A Little Foolishness

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Ecclesiastes Chapter 10 — Additional Translations:

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