Ecclesiastes 10:13

13 initium verborum eius stultitia et novissimum oris illius error pessimus

Ecclesiastes 10:13 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 10:13

The beginning of the words of his mouth [is] foolishness
As soon as ever he opens his mouth, he betrays his folly; the first word he speaks is a foolish one; or it is from the abundant folly in his heart that he speaks, which is the source and spring of all his foolish talk; and the end of his talk [is] mischievous madness;
to himself and others; as he goes on, he appears more and more foolish, and yet more confident of his own wisdom; and is resolutely set on having his own way and will; grows warm, and is violently hot, to have his own words regarded; and, if contradicted, is like a madman, scattering arrows, firebrands, and death; his talk from first to last is a circle of folly; and, though it begins with something weak, and may seem innocent, yet it ends and issues in wickedness and madness, in rage and wrath, in oaths and curses.

Ecclesiastes 10:13 In-Context

11 si mordeat serpens in silentio nihil eo minus habet qui occulte detrahit
12 verba oris sapientis gratia et labia insipientis praecipitabunt eum
13 initium verborum eius stultitia et novissimum oris illius error pessimus
14 stultus verba multiplicat ignorat homo quid ante se fuerit et quod post futurum est quis illi poterit indicare
15 labor stultorum adfliget eos qui nesciunt in urbem pergere
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.