101 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
101 Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
101 Dead flies in perfume make it stink, And a little foolishness decomposes much wisdom.
101 Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.
101 As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink, so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10:1
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10:1-3
(Read Ecclesiastes 10:1-3)
Those especially who make a profession of religion, should keep from all appearances of evil. A wise man has great advantage over a fool, who is always at a loss when he has anything to do. Sin is the reproach of sinners, wherever they go, and shows their folly.