Eclesiastés 10:9-19

9 Cuando trabajas en una cantera,
las piedras pueden caerte encima y aplastarte.
Cuando cortas leña,
se corre peligro en cada golpe del hacha.

10 Si se usa un hacha sin filo hay que hacer doble esfuerzo,
por lo tanto, afila la hoja.
Ahí está el valor de la sabiduría:
ayuda a tener éxito.

11 Si una serpiente te muerde antes de que la encantes,
¿de qué te sirve ser encantador de serpientes?

12 Las palabras sabias traen aprobación,
pero a los necios, sus propias palabras los destruyen.

13 Los necios basan sus pensamientos en suposiciones insensatas,
por lo tanto, llegan a conclusiones locas y malvadas;

14 hablan y hablan sin parar.
Nadie sabe a ciencia cierta qué es lo que va a suceder,
nadie puede predecir el futuro.

15 Los necios se agotan tanto con un poco de trabajo
que ni siquiera saben cómo regresar a su casa.

16 ¡Qué tristeza sufrirá el pueblo gobernado por un sirviente,
cuyos líderes hacen fiesta desde la mañana!

17 Dichoso el pueblo que tiene por rey a un líder noble
y cuyos dirigentes festejan en el momento apropiado
para trabajar con fuerza y no para emborracharse.

18 Por la pereza se hunde el techo;
por el ocio gotea la casa.

19 Una fiesta da alegría,
un buen vino, felicidad,
¡y el dinero lo da todo!

Eclesiastés 10:9-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES 10

This chapter treats of the difference between wisdom and folly; and of the preferableness of the one, to the other, especially in civil government: folly is compared to a dead or deadly fly; a little of which as much hurts a wise man's reputation, as that does the most precious ointment, Ec 10:1. A wise man and a fool differ in the situation of their heart; which is in the one on the right hand, in the other on the left, Ec 10:2; the folly of the latter lies not only in his heart, but betrays itself throughout the whole of his conversation, Ec 10:3. And it is one part of wisdom in a subject to bear patiently the anger of his prince, and not in a passion and at once leave his service, Ec 10:4. And, among the follies of princes, this is a great one; to bestow their honours and favours on improper persons, to the neglect of such as are deserving, Ec 10:5-7. And several proverbial expressions are used, as cautions to a wise man against plotting mischief to others; breaking in upon the constitution and laws of a commonwealth; weakening the strength of the state by an methods, and making discord in it, and carrying thin by mere strength and force; when, if wisdom used, it would direct to proper ways and means, by which things would be managed to the best advantage, Ec 10:8-10. Then the babbling of fools against a government is exposed, which is like the secret bite of a serpent, Ec 10:11; and the difference between the words of wise men, which express grace and kindness, and are amiable and acceptable to men; and those of fools, which destroy themselves, begin in folly, and end in mischief; are noisy, and without meaning; do not direct to things most plain and easy, but wearisome and fatiguing to themselves and others, Ec 10:12-15. Next the unhappiness of a land is observed, when the governors of it are childish, intemperate, slothful, and prodigal; the happiness of a country when it is the reverse, Ec 10:16-19; and the chapter is concluded with advice not to curse a king, or any great personage; no, not in the most private and secret manner; since, by one means or another, it will be discovered Ec 10:20.