Ecclesiastes 10

1Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.Cross-references: Ex 30:25 · Ex 30:34 · 2Chr 19:2 · Neh 6:13 · Neh 13:26 · Matt 5:13 · +1 more

2A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.Cross-references: Prov 14:8 · Prov 17:16 · Eccl 9:10 · Eccl 10:10 · Eccl 10:14 · Luke 12:18 · +1 more

3Yes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.Cross-references: Prov 13:16 · Prov 18:2 · Prov 18:6 · Eccl 5:3 · 1Pet 4:4

4If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.Cross-references: 1Sam 25:24 · Prov 25:15 · Eccl 8:3

5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.Cross-references: Eccl 3:16 · Eccl 4:1 · Eccl 4:7 · Eccl 5:13 · Eccl 6:1 · Eccl 9:3

6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.Cross-references: Judg 9:14 · 1Ki 12:13 · Esth 3:1 · Ps 12:8 · Prov 28:12 · Prov 28:28 · +2 more

7I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.Cross-references: Esth 6:8 · Prov 19:10 · Prov 30:22

8He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.Cross-references: Judg 9:5 · Judg 9:53 · 2Sam 17:23 · 2Sam 18:15 · Esth 7:10 · Ps 7:15 · +4 more

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.Cross-references: Gen 41:33 · Ex 18:19 · 1Ki 3:9 · 1Chr 12:32 · 2Chr 23:4 · Eccl 9:15 · +9 more

11If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.Cross-references: Ps 52:2 · Ps 58:4 · Ps 64:3 · Prov 18:21 · Jer 8:17 · James 3:6

12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.Cross-references: 2Sam 1:16 · 1Ki 20:40 · Job 4:3 · Job 16:5 · Ps 37:30 · Ps 40:9 · +25 more

13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.Cross-references: Judg 14:15 · 1Sam 20:26 · 1Sam 22:7 · 1Sam 22:16 · 1Sam 25:10 · 2Sam 19:41 · +14 more

14A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?Cross-references: Job 34:37 · Job 35:16 · Prov 10:19 · Prov 15:2 · Eccl 3:22 · Eccl 5:3 · +3 more

15The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.Cross-references: Ps 107:4 · Ps 107:7 · Eccl 10:3 · Eccl 10:10 · Isa 35:8 · Isa 44:12 · +6 more

16Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!Cross-references: 2Chr 13:7 · 2Chr 33:1 · 2Chr 36:2 · 2Chr 36:5 · 2Chr 36:9 · 2Chr 36:11 · +7 more

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!Cross-references: Deut 14:26 · Prov 28:2 · Prov 31:4 · Eccl 10:6 · Isa 5:11 · Jer 30:21

18By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.Cross-references: Prov 12:24 · Prov 14:1 · Prov 20:4 · Prov 21:25 · Prov 23:21 · Prov 24:30 · +2 more

19A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.Cross-references: Gen 43:34 · Judg 9:13 · 1Sam 25:36 · 2Sam 13:28 · 1Chr 21:24 · 1Chr 29:2 · +24 more

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.Cross-references: Ex 22:28 · 2Ki 6:12 · Eccl 7:21 · Isa 8:21 · Luke 10:40 · Luke 12:2 · +2 more