The Bible — World English Bible

Ecclesiastes 10

In brief

Ecclesiastes 10 is a chapter of proverbs on wisdom and folly. It opens with the image of dead flies spoiling the perfume: a little folly can outweigh much wisdom. It then speaks of how to act toward those who rule, of injustices seen under the sun, of the risks of ordinary work, and of the words of the wise and of the fool. It ends with a warning about laziness, feasting and respect for authorities, even in our thoughts.

The chapter in 5 parts

  1. v. 1-3A little folly spoils much wisdom
  2. v. 4-7Facing authority and the injustices of the world
  3. v. 8-11The risks of work and the value of wisdom
  4. v. 12-15The words of the wise and those of the fool
  5. v. 16-20Governing, working and respecting authority

1Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.

2A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.

3Yes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

4If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.

5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.

6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.

7I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.

8He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

9Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.

10If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.

11If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.

12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.

13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

14A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?

15The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.

16Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!

17Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

18By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.

19A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.

20Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom: for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.

Key verses

Verse 1
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.

Dead flies make the perfumer's oil ferment: in the same way, a little folly can outweigh wisdom and honor. A single mistake can tarnish a reputation built over many years.

Verse 4
If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.

Facing an angry ruler, the advice is not to leave your post: calmness prevents great offenses. Wisdom here means not reacting on impulse when authority rises against us.

Verse 10
If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.

Whoever works with a blunt iron has to use more strength. Wisdom brings the advantage of success: it is better to prepare your tools than to wear yourself out without thinking.

Verse 12
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.

The words of the wise are gracious, while the lips of the fool consume him. What someone says reveals who he is, and can lift him up or destroy him.

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What the sermons say

Ecclesiastes 10-11: Four Follies to Leave Behind for a Wise LifeThe preacher at Calvary Chapel Paris reads chapters 10 and 11 as a teaching on ethics, in four areas: speech, authority, work and joy. He contrasts the wise and the fool.Read the summary →A Dead Fly in the Ointment: Wisdom for an Uncertain WorldThis sermon takes the start of the chapter as its image: a little folly is enough to dominate a lot, the way buckwheat flour dominates a recipe, unless wisdom comes to soften it.Read the summary →Ecclesiastes 9–10: Jesus, Your Clarity in a World Gone MadThis message from the series on Ecclesiastes cites verses 1 to 11 and asks how to keep the balance of a wise life in a world gone mad, with the clarity of Christ as the answer.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about Ecclesiastes 10

What does the fly in the perfume mean in Ecclesiastes 10:1?

Dead flies make the perfumer's oil ferment: a small flaw can spoil a precious perfume. From this the verse concludes that a little folly can outweigh much wisdom or honor. It calls us to be watchful about the small things that can damage a good testimony.

What is the message of Ecclesiastes 10?

The chapter contrasts wisdom and folly in ordinary life: speech, attitude toward authority, work, the way we govern. It reminds us that wisdom protects and gives an advantage, while folly, even a small amount, can do a great deal of damage.

What does the wise man's heart at his right hand mean in Ecclesiastes 10:2?

In biblical culture, the right hand suggests the right direction and the place of honor, the left the opposite. The verse says that the wise person heads in the right direction, while the fool heads the wrong way. It is an image of the direction the mind takes, not an anatomical statement.

Articles quoting Ecclesiastes 10

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World English Bible translation — public domain.