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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:1 - 10:10
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In the Midst of Presumption and Arrogance
v. 1. Dead flies, literally, "flies of death," that is, such as fall into a mixture and, in decomposing, taint it with their rottenness, cause the ointment of the apothecary to mend forth a stinking savor, so that its value is lost; so doth a little folly, even a small show of sinful weakness, him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor, the one weakness spoils everything.
v. 2. A wise man's heart is at his right hand, that is, he uses his understanding in the proper, expert way; but a fool's heart at his left, lacking wisdom, he bungles everything that he undertakes.
v. 3. Yea, also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, tending to the ordinary business of life, his wisdom faileth him, he gives abundant proof of his stupidity and folly, and he saith to every one, by his every word and act, that he is a fool.
v. 4. If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, in an angry outburst, leave not thy place, that is, forget not thy position as subject, remember always that it is a ruler with whom thou dealest, control thy temper; for yielding pacifieth great offenses, it prevents transgressions which otherwise might result.
v. 5. There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler, a mistake often made by people possessing authority:
v. 6. Folly is set in great dignity, foolish and incompetent persons are given posts of honor and authority, and the rich, not the foolishly wealthy, but the noble, distinguished, and wise, sit in low place, they are deprived of their rightful positions of authority and honor.
v. 7. I have seen servants, men whose station in life was among the lowly, upon horses, like mighty lords, and princes, men qualified for the highest positions, walking as servants upon the earth, as a result of some foolish ruler's caprice.
v. 8. He that diggeth a pit, indulging in dangerous work, shall fail into it, that is, he who courts danger must expect it to strike him; and whoso breaketh an hedge, or a stone fence, in whose crevices reptiles make their homes, a serpent shall bite him. It is a matter of record that the one who tries to injure his neighbor is often seriously hurt by the very injury which he intended for his neighbor.
v. 9. Whoso removeth stones, either in tearing down an old building or in working in a stony field, in a dangerous occupation, shall be hurt therewith, he must expect injuries of this kind; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby, since the ax-head may strike him.
v. 10. If the iron be blunt, the wood-chopper having neglected to tend to it in time, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength, for splitting wood with a dull ax requires greater exertion; but wisdom is profitable to direct, namely, to a successful issue. If a person wants to force matters by main strength, he will probably do so to his own harm; but if he uses proper discrimination, he will succeed without difficulty.