Ecclesiastes 10 :: Revised Standard Version (RSV)

A Little Foolishness

Ecc 10:1Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off an evil odor; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

Ecc 10:2A wise man's heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool's heart toward the left.

Ecc 10:3Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to every one that he is a fool.

Ecc 10:4If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for deference will make amends for great offenses.

Ecc 10:5

Ecc 10:5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:

Ecc 10:6

Ecc 10:6folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.

Ecc 10:7

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

Ecc 10:8

Ecc 10:8He who digs a pit will fall into it; and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.

Ecc 10:9

Ecc 10:9He who quarries stones is hurt by them; and he who splits logs is endangered by them.

Ecc 10:10

Ecc 10:10If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps one to succeed.

Ecc 10:11

Ecc 10:11If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage in a charmer.

Ecc 10:12

Ecc 10:12The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Ecc 10:13

Ecc 10:13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is wicked madness.

Ecc 10:14

Ecc 10:14A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?

Ecc 10:15

Ecc 10:15The toil of a fool wearies him, so that he does not know the way to the city.

Ecc 10:16

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

Ecc 10:17

Ecc 10:17Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of free men, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

Ecc 10:18

Ecc 10:18Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.

Ecc 10:19

Ecc 10:19Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.

Ecc 10:20

Ecc 10:20Even in your thought, do not curse the king, nor in your bedchamber curse the rich; for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.

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Source: Transcribed from: The Holy Bible: Revised Standard Version containing the Old and New Testaments, translated from the original tongues: being the version set forth A.D. 1611, revised A.D. 1881-1885 and A.D. 1901: compared with the most ancient authorities and revised A.D. 1946-52. — 2nd ed. of New Testament A.D. 1971. There should be enough in the rest of the description to identify the text.

Language: English

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Ecclesiastes 10 :: Revised Standard Version (RSV)

A Little Foolishness

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