← Ecclesiastes 9 | Ecclesiastes 11 →
1 As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. | TOSK |
2 A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left. | TOSK |
3 Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool. | TOSK |
4 If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest. | C | TOSK |
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler: | C | TOSK |
6 Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions. | C | TOSK |
7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves. | TOSK |
8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake. | TOSK |
9 The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself. | TOSK |
10 If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success. | TOSK |
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. | TOSK |
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. | C | C² | TOSK |
13 The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. | C | C² | TOSK |
14 Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him? | C | C² | TOSK |
15 The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city. | C | C² | TOSK |
16 Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning. | TOSK |
17 Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness. | TOSK |
18 Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks. | TOSK |
19 A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything. | TOSK |
20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech. | C | TOSK |