Eclesiastes 10:2-12

2 O coração do sábio se inclina para o bem,mas o coração do tolo, para o mal.^[a]

3 Mesmo quando anda pelo caminho,o tolo age sem o mínimo bom sensoe mostra a todos que não passa de tolo.

4 Se a ira de uma autoridade se levantar contra você,não abandone o seu posto;a tranquilidade evita grandes erros.

5 Há outro mal que vi debaixo do sol,um erro cometido pelos que governam:

6 tolos são postos em cargos elevados,enquanto ricos ocupam cargos inferiores.

7 Tenho visto servos andando a cavalo,e príncipes andando a pé, como servos.

8 Quem cava um poço cairá nele;quem derruba um muro será picado por uma cobra.

9 Quem arranca pedras com elas se ferirá;quem racha lenha se arrisca.

10 Se o machado está cegoe sua lâmina não foi afiada,é preciso golpear com mais força;agir com sabedoria assegura o sucesso.

11 Se a cobra morder antes de ser encantada,para que servirá o encantador?

12 As palavras do sábio lhe trazem benefícios,mas os lábios do insensato o destroem.

Eclesiastes 10:2-12 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebraico: "para a direita…para a esquerda."