Prediger 10:6-16

6 daß ein Narr sitzt in großer Würde, und die Reichen in Niedrigkeit sitzen.

7 Ich sah Knechte auf Rossen, und Fürsten zu Fuß gehen wie Knechte.

8 Aber wer eine Grube macht, der wird selbst hineinfallen; und wer den Zaun zerreißt, den wird eine Schlange stechen.

9 Wer Steine wegwälzt, der wird Mühe damit haben; und wer Holz spaltet, der wird davon verletzt werden.

10 Wenn ein Eisen stumpf wird und an der Schneide ungeschliffen bleibt, muß man's mit Macht wieder schärfen; also folgt auch Weisheit dem Fleiß.

11 Ein Schwätzer ist nichts Besseres als eine Schlange, die ohne Beschwörung sticht.

12 Die Worte aus dem Mund eines Weisen sind holdselig; aber des Narren Lippen verschlingen ihn selbst.

13 Der Anfang seiner Worte ist Narrheit, und das Ende ist schädliche Torheit. {~} {~}

14 Ein Narr macht viele Worte; aber der Mensch weiß nicht, was gewesen ist, und wer will ihm sagen, was nach ihm werden wird?

15 Die Arbeit der Narren wird ihnen sauer, weil sie nicht wissen in die Stadt zu gehen.

16 Weh dir, Land, dessen König ein Kind ist, und dessen Fürsten in der Frühe speisen!

Prediger 10:6-16 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.