Ecclesiastes 10 — The Holy Bible

Ecclesiastes 10, verse 1. Dead flies will corrupt the preparation of seasoned olive oil, And a little wisdom is more valuable Than the glory of great foolishness. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 2. A wise man's heart is at his right hand, But the heart of a senseless man is at his left. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 3. When a senseless man also walks along the way, His heart will fail him, And everything he considers is foolishness. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 4. If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your place; For soothing puts an end to great sins. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 5. There is an evil I saw under the sun When an offense proceeds from a ruler. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 6. The senseless man devotes himself to great heights, And rich men shall sit in a lowly place. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 7. I saw servants on horses And princes walking on the ground like servants. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 8. He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who pulls down a wall will be bitten by a serpent. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 9. He who removes stones will be worn out by them, And he who cuts down trees will be endangered by them. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 10. If the ax head falls off, then his countenance is troubled, And he will put forth more strength; And in that case skill is of no advantage to the man. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 11. If the serpent bites when it is not charmed, Then there is no advantage to the charmer. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 12. The words of a wise mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 13. The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is evil madness. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 14. A senseless man multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; And who will tell him what will be after him? Ecclesiastes 10, verse 15. The labor of fools wears them out, For they do not even know how to go to the city! Ecclesiastes 10, verse 16. Woe to you, O city whose king is young And whose princes feast in the morning! Ecclesiastes 10, verse 17. Blessed are you, O land, When your king is the son of nobles And your princes feast at the proper time in strength. They will not be dishonored. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 18. Because of laziness the roofing will be brought low, And through idleness of hands the house will leak. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 19. They make bread for laughter, And wine delights the living; But all will listen to money. Ecclesiastes 10, verse 20. Do not curse the king, even in your conscience; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air will carry your voice, And a bird in flight will tell the matter.