Ecclesiastes 10:13

13 At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness—

Ecclesiastes 10:13 in Other Translations

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.

13 Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions, so their conclusions will be wicked madness;

13 He starts out talking nonsense And ends up spouting insanity and evil.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly, but the end of his speaking is evil madness.

Ecclesiastes 10:13 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 10:13

The beginning of the words of his mouth [is] foolishness
As soon as ever he opens his mouth, he betrays his folly; the first word he speaks is a foolish one; or it is from the abundant folly in his heart that he speaks, which is the source and spring of all his foolish talk; and the end of his talk [is] mischievous madness;
to himself and others; as he goes on, he appears more and more foolish, and yet more confident of his own wisdom; and is resolutely set on having his own way and will; grows warm, and is violently hot, to have his own words regarded; and, if contradicted, is like a madman, scattering arrows, firebrands, and death; his talk from first to last is a circle of folly; and, though it begins with something weak, and may seem innocent, yet it ends and issues in wickedness and madness, in rage and wrath, in oaths and curses.

Ecclesiastes 10:13 In-Context

11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee.

12 Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.

13 At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness—

14 and fools multiply words. No one knows what is coming— who can tell someone else what will happen after them?

15 The toil of fools wearies them; they do not know the way to town.