Prediker 10:14-20

14 De dwaas maakt wel veel woorden; maar de mens weet niet, wat het zij, dat geschieden zal; en wat na hem geschieden zal, wie zal het hem te kennen geven?

15 De arbeid der zotten maakt een iegelijk van hen moede; dewijl zij niet weten naar de stad te gaan.

16 Wee u, land! welks koning een kind is, en welks vorsten tot in den morgenstond eten!

17 Welgelukzalig zijt gij, land! welks koning een zoon der edelen is, en welks vorsten ter rechter tijd eten, tot sterkte en niet tot drinkerij.

18 Door grote luiheid verzwakt het gebint, en door slapheid der handen wordt het huis doorlekkende.

19 Men maakt maaltijden om te lachen, en de wijn verheugt de levenden, en het geld verantwoordt alles.

20 Vloek den koning niet, zelfs in uw gedachten, en vloek den rijke niet in het binnenste uwer slaapkamer; want het gevogelte des hemels zou de stem wegvoeren, en het gevleugelde zou het woord te kennen geven.

Prediker 10:14-20 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.