5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun , like an error which goes forth from the ruler - 6 folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places . 7 I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land . 8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall . 9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them. 10 If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge , then he must exert more strength . Wisdom has the advantage of giving success . 11 If the serpent bites before being charmed , there is no profit for the charmer e .
12 Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious , while the lips of a fool consume him; 13 the beginning of his talking e is folly and the end of it is wicked madness . 14 Yet the fool multiplies words . No man knows what will happen , and who can tell him what will come after e him?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10:5-14
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10:4-10
(Read Ecclesiastes 10:4-10)
Solomon appears to caution men not to seek redress in a hasty manner, nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion, quit thy post of duty; wait awhile, and thou wilt find that yielding pacifies great offences. Men are not preferred according to their merit. And those are often most forward to offer help, who are least aware of the difficulties, or the consequences. The same remark is applied to the church, or the body of Christ, that all the members should have the same care one for another.
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.