Ecclesiastes 10:2

2 The hearts of wise people lead them on the right path. But the hearts of foolish people take them down the wrong path.

Ecclesiastes 10:2 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 10:2

A wise man's heart [is] at his right hand
This is not designed to express the direct position and situation of the heart of man, wise or foolish, which is the same in both; and which, according to anatomists, is in the middle of the body, inclining to the left side; but the understanding and wisdom of men, as Aben Ezra observes; which, with a wise man, is ready a hand to direct and assist him in any affair; and which under the influence of it, he goes about with great readiness and dexterity, and performs it with great ease and facility, without sinister ends and selfish views; it inclines him to pursue the true way to honour, heaven, and happiness, which lies to the right; to seek things that are above, at the right hand of God; and, in all, his honour and glory; but a fool's heart [is] at his left;
he is at a loss for wisdom and understanding to direct him, when he has an affair of any moment upon his hand; which he goes about in an awkward manner, as left handed persons do, and has sinister ends in what he does; and he is to every good work reprobate and unfit, and seeks earth and earthly things, which lie to the left, and in all himself. The Targum is,

``the heart of a wise man is to get the law, which was given by the right hand of the Lord; and the heart of a fool to get the goods of gold and silver:''

so Jarchi,

``his wisdom is ready to incline him (the wise man) to the right hand way for his good; but the heart of a fool to pervert him from it.''

The ancients ^F15 used to call things wise and prudent the right hand and things foolish the left hand.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 Suidas in voce (dexia) .

Ecclesiastes 10:2 In-Context

1 Dead flies give perfume a bad smell. And a little foolishness can make a lot of wisdom useless.

2 The hearts of wise people lead them on the right path. But the hearts of foolish people take them down the wrong path.

3 A foolish person doesn't have any sense at all. He shows everyone he is foolish. He does it even when he is walking along the road.

4 Suppose a ruler gets very angry with you. If he does, don't quit your job in the palace. Stay calm. That will overcome the effects of your big mistakes.

5 Here's something evil I've seen on this earth. And it's the kind of mistake that rulers make.