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ECCLESIASTES ยท Chapter 10
10:1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a
stinking savour: so does a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom
and honour.
10:2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at
his left.
10:3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walks by the way, his wisdom
fails him, and he says to every one that he is a fool.
10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your
place; for yielding pacifies great offences.
10:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error
which proceeds from the ruler:
10:6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
10:7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants
upon the earth.
10:8 He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaks an hedge,
a serpent shall bite him.
10:9 Whoso removes stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaves
wood shall be endangered thereby.
10:10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not sharpen the edge, then must
he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
10:11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler
is no better.
10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of
a fool will swallow up himself.
10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the
end of his talk is mischievous madness.
10:14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be;
and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
10:15 The labour of the foolish wearies every one of them, because
he knows not how to go to the city.
10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes
eat in the morning!
10:17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles,
and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
10:18 By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness
of the hands the house drops through.
10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: but money
answers all things.
10:20 Curse not the king, no not in your thought; and curse not the
rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and
that which has wings shall tell the matter.
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