11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee.
11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.
11 If the snake bites before it's been charmed, What's the point in then sending for the charmer?
11 A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different.
11 If a snake bites before you charm it, what's the use of being a snake charmer?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10:11
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10:11-15
(Read Ecclesiastes 10:11-15)
There is a practice in the East, of charming serpents by music. The babbler's tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison; and contradiction only makes it the more violent. We must find the way to keep him gentle. But by rash, unprincipled, or slanderous talk, he brings open or secret vengeance upon himself. Would we duly consider our own ignorance as to future events, it would cut off many idle words which we foolishly multiply. Fools toil a great deal to no purpose. They do not understand the plainest things, such as the entrance into a great city. But it is the excellency of the way to the heavenly city, that it is a high-way, in which the simplest wayfaring men shall not err, Isaiah 25:8. But sinful folly makes men miss that only way to happiness.