Ecclesiastes 10
The Folly of Fools
1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. Kingdom: 2 Chronicles 19:2, Nehemiah 13:26. Parallel theme: Exodus 30:25
2 A wise man's heart is 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 him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool. Parallel theme: Proverbs 13:16, 18:2
4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 8:3, Proverbs 25:15
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: Evil: Ecclesiastes 5:13, 6:1, 9:3. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 4:1, 4:7
6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. Parallel theme: Esther 3:1, Psalms 12:8, Proverbs 28:12, 29:2
7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. Kingdom: Esther 6:8, Proverbs 30:22. Parallel theme: Proverbs 19:10
8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. Parallel theme: Judges 9:5, 2 Samuel 17:23, Esther 7:10, Proverbs 26:27, Amos 5:19, 9:3
9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and 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 is profitable to direct. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 10:15, 1 Kings 3:9, 1 Chronicles 12:32, Matthew 10:16, Romans 16:19, 1 Corinthians 14:20, Colossians 4:5, James 1:5 +3
11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. Parallel theme: Jeremiah 8:17
12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. Grace: Proverbs 22:11, Luke 4:22, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 4:6. Parallel theme: Proverbs 15:2
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. Parallel theme: Proverbs 29:9
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? Word: Ecclesiastes 5:3, Job 35:16, Proverbs 10:19. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 3:22, 6:12, 8:7, Proverbs 15:2 +2
15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 10:3, Psalms 107:4, 107:7, Isaiah 57:1
16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is 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. Parallel theme: Proverbs 12:24, 14:1, 20:4, 21:25, 23:21, Hebrews 6:11
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
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. Kingdom: 2 Kings 6:12, Isaiah 8:21. Curse: Exodus 22:28. Parallel theme: Luke 10:40, 19:40, Acts 23:5