Ecclesiastes Chapter 10 in Simple English

Updated on October 1, 2026

Read Ecclesiastes Chapter 10

1Dead flies make the perfume maker's ointment stink. In the same way, a little folly spoils a man who is known for wisdom and honour.

2A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart is at his left.

3Even when a fool walks along the road, his wisdom fails him, and he tells everyone that he is a fool.

4If the ruler's temper rises up against you, do not leave your place. Yielding calms great offences.

5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like a mistake that comes from the ruler:

6folly is set in high honour, and the rich sit in a low place.

7I have seen servants riding on horses, and princes walking on the ground like servants.

8Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever breaks down a hedge, a snake will bite him.

9Whoever moves stones will be hurt by them, and whoever splits wood is in danger from it.

10If the iron is blunt, and he does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength. But wisdom is useful to guide him.

11Surely the snake will bite if it is not charmed, and a babbler is no better.

12The words from a wise man's mouth bring favour, but the lips of a fool will swallow him up.

13The first words from his mouth are foolishness, and the end of his talk is harmful madness.

14A fool is also full of words. No one can tell what is going to happen; and who can tell a man what will come after him?

15The work of fools wears every one of them out, because he does not know the way to the city.

16Sorrow is yours, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning.

17You are blessed, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat at the proper time, for strength and not for drunkenness.

18Through much laziness the building falls apart, and through idle hands the house leaks.

19A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes people glad; but money answers everything.

20Do not curse the king, not even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich man in your bedroom. For a bird of the air will carry your voice, and a creature with wings will tell what you said.

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Explanation

Ecclesiastes 10

In short

This chapter offers practical wisdom about foolishness and its consequences in daily life and government. It warns against small acts of folly that ruin reputation, shows how foolish choices backfire, and teaches that wise words and restraint matter more than clever talk.

Context

Ecclesiastes is a book of observations and advice about how to live well. The speaker, called the Preacher, has been reflecting on what makes life meaningful. This chapter shifts to practical wisdom, offering short observations about how people behave and what happens when they act foolishly or wisely, especially in relation to rulers and authority.

What the text says

Verses 1-3 use images to show that small foolishness ruins a wise reputation, just as dead flies spoil perfume. A fool reveals himself by his actions and speech wherever he goes. In verses 4-7, the speaker advises not to abandon your post when a ruler grows angry at you, because staying calm settles great offenses. He observes that sometimes the world turns upside down: foolish people hold high positions while the rich are brought low, and servants ride horses while princes walk.

Verses 8-10 warn that harmful actions backfire: digging a pit, breaking a hedge, removing stones, or chopping wood all carry risks to the one doing them. Hard work without wisdom wastes energy. Verses 11-15 contrast wise and foolish speech. A wise person's words are gracious and received well. A fool talks endlessly without knowing the future, and tires everyone including himself with meaningless words.

Verses 16-20 address nations and rulers. A land suffers when its king is immature and leaders feast carelessly. It prospers when the king has noble birth and leaders eat for strength, not excess. Finally, verse 20 warns: curse neither king nor wealthy people even in private thought, because a bird might carry your words abroad.

Takeaways

Small acts of folly can destroy a reputation built on wisdom, just as dead flies spoil perfume.
Foolish action typically brings harm back to the person who acts foolishly.
Wise words win favor, while endless foolish talk exhausts both the fool and those who hear.

Ecclesiastes 10 - Simple English