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Ecclesiastes 10:1

WisdomIntegrity
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.

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.

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
KJV
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.
WEB
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
ASV
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; [so] doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
DARBY
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink [and] ferment; [so] a little folly is weightier than wisdom [and] honour.
BLB
Dead flies rising up [in] the ointment of a perfumer give a stench; a little folly is heavier than wisdom and honor.
ÅB
Giftige fluer får salvelagerens salve til å lukte ille og gjære; endog et lite grand dårskap ødelegger en mann som utmerker seg ved visdom eller ære.
OTB
Døde fluer får parfymeoljen til å stinke, så litt dårskap er mer innflytelsesrik enn visdom og ære.
B1930
Giftige fluer får salvelagerens salve til å lukte ille og gjære; endog et lite grand dårskap ødelegger en mann som utmerker sig ved visdom eller ære.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 5:13–16

    Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

    Read in context

  • Galatians 2:12–14

    For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

    Read in context

  • Nehemiah 13:26

    Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.

    Read in context

  • Exodus 30:25

    And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.

    Read in context

  • 2 Chronicles 19:2

    And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.

    Read in context

  • Exodus 30:34–35

    And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:

    Read in context