Ecclesiastes 10

Notes

Ver. 1. A little imprudence or wickedness much hurts the character of one who has been reckoned uncommonly wise. 2. A wise man's understanding and inward abilities are always in readiness to direct him in his work: but a fool is unready in all he does, and knows not how to manage his affairs. 3. Nay, even in the most ordinary business his weakness appears, and he plainly discovers his folly to every one. 4. If the magistrate takes offence at thee, never desert thy station or employment, or withdraw thy subjection: but by submissive and patient carriage endeavour to pacify him. 5-7. Very often, to the great hurt of the subjects, magistrates employ, as their deputies and agents, persons of a weak or mercenary spirit, while persons of ability and true dignity are overlooked and contemned. 8. Both prince and people have need to beware of innovations; for he that endeavours to ensnare and ruin another shall thereby perish himself: and he that passes his due bounds to wrong others, brings unexpected mischief upon himself. 9. He that rashly attempts things too high and hard for him shall be hurt by it; and he that deals with men of stubborn tempers endangers himself. 10. If a man do not use proper means for his work, it will cost him so much more labour and pains. Wisdom is therefore necessary and profitable to direct in the choice and use of means. 11. As unenchanted serpents are disposed to bite, so rash and talkative persons are sure to do mischief with their words unless they be wisely prevented. 12. Wise men's words being pious, friendly, and profitable, procure them favour: but foolish, slanderous, and sinful speeches suddenly and irrecoverably ruin a man. 13. A fool at the first talks in a useless and impertinent manner; and at length he grows insolent and abusive, sticking at nothing wicked or malicious. 14. A fool pours forth his incoherent babblings, and pretends to know everything secret or future; and no one can tell what he will say next, or what mischief his foolish speeches may produce. 15. Fools find their work tedious and wearisome, because they want sense and prudence to manage the most ordinary business, even where the rules are ever so plain. 16. It is a great misery to a nation when their magistrates are ignorant, wilful, and unexperienced, and minding their sensual pleasures when they should be employed about the business of their office. 17. But happy is that nation whose magistrates are of truly excellent dispositions and endowments, and who use the enjoyments of life, not to satisfy inordinate lusts, but to fit them for their business. 18. Through sloth and indolence, estates, families, and nations are gradually reduced to wretchedness and ruin. 19. Even feasting affords but a very slight and transient pleasure; but a plentiful estate procures every outward advantage: we should therefore beware of spending it in luxury. 20. It is neither lawful nor safe to contemn, reproach, or wish evil to magistrates, however secretly, as it may be very quickly and surprisingly discovered to them.

Ver. 1. Folly. Solomon means by folly, (1) Childishness, Pr. 22. 11, that is, waywardness of temper, being easily disturbed; preference of toys to things of real value; and preference of amusement and self-will to learning and due control. (2) Want of prudent forecast, Pr. 13. 14. (3) Deceitfulness, Pr. 14. 3. (4) A hasty temper, Pr. 14. 29. (5) Pleasure in other men's folly, Pr. 15. 21. (6) Rejecting good advice, Ec. 4. 13. When folly is employed to designate the highest criminality, as De. 22. 21; Jos. 7. 15; Ho. 2. 10, it can easily be reduced to one or more of these heads. C.

Ver. 2. The wise man honours his heart; that is, his affections and their objects, by placing them at his right hand, the position of honour. The fool degrades all that he should hold dear. C.

Ver. 9. That is, he that doeth these things fraudulently and violently, as in digging a pit, or breaking a hedge, ver. 8. C.

Ver. 11. This translation is founded on the general opinion of 'serpent-charming' by music being a reality and not a juggling imposition: a matter still undecided. May not the verse be translated, 'Surely the serpent will bite without hissing' (that is to give warning of danger): 'and a calumniator is no better?' C.

Ver. 16. Either really a child, a minor, under a selfish regency, living in luxury, and abusing their power; or one of those who are always children, and never attain to the majority of intellect, because never acquainted with the Son of God, who alone can make men free, Jn. 8. 32, 36. C.

Ver. 20. Solomon warns against an uncharitable thought, because it would soon break out into a voice, and certainly be discovered. And thus he admonishes, not for the sake of a factitious loyalty, but because he that frets himself into cursing the king will speedily be in danger of cursing his God. See Is. 8. 21.—Note, The bird is most probably a reference to the use of carrier pigeons for speedy and secret missives. C.

Reflections.—Men of character have need to be careful, lest they should inadvertently ruin it. Many are extremely ill qualified for the business they take in hand; and imprudently expose their own folly and wickedness. But it is very dangerous when either rulers or subjects leave their proper stations and attempt violent changes of the public settlement. Vain and imprudent talking is often attended with the most hurtful consequences. It is necessary then to have our words always with grace, seasoned with salt. An imprudent management of their business frequently robs men of both the comfort and the benefit thereof. But it is a great mercy for nations when rulers and subjects do all diligently and prudently attend to their proper work, and act according to their station, neither doing nor speaking evil, but provoking one another to love and to good works.