{"meta":{"source":"Prime Bible","sourceUrl":"https://primebible.com","license":"Public domain (translation text); see citation policy at /citation-policy","organization":"501(c)(3) nonprofit — EIN 41-2531951","canonicalUrl":"https://primebible.com/dbt/ecclesiastes/10","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-05-27T00:24:25.197Z"},"reference":{"translation":"DBT","book":"Ecclesiastes","bookSlug":"ecclesiastes","chapter":10,"testament":"OLD"},"navigation":{"previousChapter":9,"nextChapter":11,"totalChapters":12,"totalVerses":20},"verses":[{"verseNumber":1,"text":"Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink and ferment; so a little folly is weightier than wisdom and honour."},{"verseNumber":2,"text":"The heart of a wise man is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left."},{"verseNumber":3,"text":"Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his sense faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool."},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences."},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error that proceedeth from the ruler:"},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place."},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth."},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him."},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby."},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success."},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage."},{"verseNumber":12,"text":"The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself."},{"verseNumber":13,"text":"The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness."},{"verseNumber":14,"text":"And the fool multiplieth words: yet man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will tell him?"},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"The labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city."},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!"},{"verseNumber":17,"text":"Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!"},{"verseNumber":18,"text":"By much sloth fulness the framework falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth."},{"verseNumber":19,"text":"A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh life merry; but money answereth everything."},{"verseNumber":20,"text":"Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter."}],"citation":{"inline":"Ecclesiastes 10 (DBT)","markdown":"[Ecclesiastes 10](https://primebible.com/dbt/ecclesiastes/10)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* DBT. https://primebible.com/dbt/ecclesiastes/10 (accessed 2026-05-27)."}}