Ecclesiastes 10:11

11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.^[a]

Ecclesiastes 10:11 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 10:11

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment
See ( Jeremiah 8:17 ) . Or rather, "without a whisper" ^F20; without hissing, or any noise, giving no warning at all: so the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "in silence"; some serpents bite, others sting, some both; see ( Proverbs 23:32 ) ; some hiss, others not, as here; and a babbler is no better;
a whisperer, a backbiter, a busy tattling body, that goes from house to house, and, in a private manner, speaks evil of civil governments, of ministers of the word, and of other persons; and; in a secret way, defames men, and detracts from their characters: such an one is like a venomous viper, a poisonous serpent or adder; and there is no more guarding against him than against such a creature that bites secretly.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 (vxl alb) "absque susurro", Pagniuus; "absque sibilo", Tigurine version.

Ecclesiastes 10:11 In-Context

9 The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them; the one who splits trees may be endangered by them.

10 If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.

11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.

12 The words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.

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

Footnotes

• [a] Lit master of the tongue