10:1
The Audit of Folly and the Acoustic Warning
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour (Kabod).
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Qahalath 10
Qahalath chapter 10 in the Qadmoni reader. Read the full chapter text with direct verse references and continue into the interactive reader.
Browse Qahalath chapter index10:2
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
10:3
Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
10:4
If the spirit (ruach) of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
10:5
The Error in the Geopolitical Matrix
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
10:6
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
10:7
I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
10:8
The Hazard of the Earthly Labour
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
10:9
Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
10:10
If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
10:11
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
10:12
The Anatomy of the Foolish Mouth
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious (Chen); but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
10:13
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
10:14
A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
10:15
The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
10:16
The Health of the Land and the Acoustic Guard
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
10:17
Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
10:18
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
10:19
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
10:20
Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.