Ecclesiastes 10:2
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.
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.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
- KJV
- A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.
- WEB
- A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
- ASV
- A wise man`s heart is at his right hand; but a fool`s heart at his left.
- DARBY
- The heart of a wise [man] is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
- BLB
- The heart of a wise one [is] to his right, and the heart of a fool to his left.
- ÅB
- Den vises hu er vendt til høyre, men dårens hu til venstre[^1].
- OTB
- Den vises hjerte heller mot høyre, men dårens hjerte heller mot venstre.
- B1930
- Den vises hu er vendt til høire, men dårens hu til venstre. / < høire og venstre er her å forstå om det rette og det vrange.>
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Luke 12:18–20
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 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?
Read in contextLuke 14:28–32
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Read in contextEcclesiastes 10:10
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.
Read in contextProverbs 17:16
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
Read in contextProverbs 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Read in context