Ecclesiastes 10

New International Version

• 1. As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
• 2. The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.
• 3. Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.
• 4. If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.
• 5. There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
• 6. Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.
• 7. I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
• 8. Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
• 9. Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.
• 10. If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.
• 11. If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
• 12. Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.
• 13. At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness-
• 14. and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming- who can tell him what will happen after him?
• 15. A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town.
• 16. Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning.
• 17. Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time- for strength and not for drunkenness.
• 18. If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.
• 19. A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
• 20. Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

New International Version