Kohelet 10:11

11 If the nachash will bite before it is charmed, there is no use in a charmer.

Kohelet 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.

---

FOOTNOTES:

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

Kohelet 10:11 In-Context

9 Whoso pulleth out avanim (stones) may be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood may be endangered thereby.

10 If the barzel (iron [of the axe]) be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must more strength be marshalled; but chochmah brings success.

11 If the nachash will bite before it is charmed, there is no use in a charmer.

12 The words of a chacham’s mouth are chen (gracious); but the lips of a kesil will swallow up himself.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is sichlut; and the end of his talk is holelot ra’ah.