# Ecclesiastes 10 [[Ecclesiastes 9|←]] • [[Ecclesiastes 11|→]] --- ### 1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom honour. ### 2 A wise man's heart at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. ### 3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth and he saith to every one he a fool. ### 4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences. ### 5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, as an error proceedeth from the ruler: ### 6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. ### 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. ### 8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. ### 9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. ### 10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom profitable to direct. ### 11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. ### 12 The words of a wise man's mouth gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. ### 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth foolishness: and the end of his talk mischievous madness. ### 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? ### 15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city. ### 16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! ### 17 Blessed thou, O land, when thy king the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! ### 18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. ### 19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all ### 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 hath wings shall tell the matter.