Ecclesiastes 10

Ecclesiastes 10:1

DEad flyes] Heb. Flyes of death.

Dead flyes cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour] Heb. Dead flyes doth cause: that is, any one will do it: for it is opposed to a little folly.

Ecclesiastes 10:2

A wise mans heart is at his right hand] He doth all things well, as a man doth with his right hand: but a fools works are aukward and lefthanded.

Ecclesiastes 10:3

his wisedom] Heb. his heart.

and he saith to every one, that he is a fool] By his gate, words, gestures and actions he bewrayeth his folly.

Ecclesiastes 10:4

If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee] If the prince be angry with thee, leave not thy office about him, nor subjection to him, but intreat his favour: this will take away his anger, and keep punishment from thee.

leave not thy place] Chap. 8. 3.

Ecclesiastes 10:5

as an errour which proceedeth from the ruler] It is an evil thing for princes to prefer unworthy men.

from] Heb. from before.

Ecclesiastes 10:6

in great dignity] Heb. in great heights.

the rich sit in lowe place] Rich in wisedom, as well as in wealth.

Ecclesiastes 10:7

upon horses] Proverbs 30:22.

Ecclesiastes 10:8

He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it] Psalms 7:15. Proverbs 26:27. He sheweth, by divers similitudes, what hurt comes unto men by rash and indiscreet actions, v. 8, 9. and what little good, v. 10.

Ecclesiastes 10:11

Surely, the serpent will bite without enchantment] Or, when the serpent hath bit before charming, then the cunning charmer profiteth nothing.

the serpent will bite without enchantment] Another instance of things done rashly, without any profit.

a babler] Heb. the master of the tongue.

Ecclesiastes 10:12

The words of a wise mans mouth are gracious] Proverbs 10:32. and Proverbs 12:13.

gracious] Heb. grace.

Ecclesiastes 10:13

the end of his talk is mischievous madnesse] He begins foolishly, but grows stark naught before he have done speaking.

his talk] Heb. his mouth.

Ecclesiastes 10:14

A fool also is full of words] Proverbs 15:2.

full of words] Heb. multiplieth words.

a man] Or, but the man.

a man cannot tell what shall be] He brags what he will do, James 4:13, &c. but he knows not what will be the issue.

what shall be after him, who can tell him?] Chap. 3. 22. and 6. 12.

Ecclesiastes 10:15

he knoweth not how to go to the city] As a man that knows not the way, wearies himself before he can come to the city: so a fool tires himself, and can bring his businesse to no good passe, because he knows not how to effect it.

Ecclesiastes 10:16

Wo to thee, O land, when thy king is a childe, &c.] Isai. 3. 3, 4.

when thy king is a childe] Such as want wisedom are counted children, Hebrews 5:13.

thy princes eat in the morning] Are given to their lusts and pleasures.

Ecclesiastes 10:17

when thy king is the son of nobles] Is born of good parentage, and vertuously brought up.

for drunkennesse] Proverbs 31:4.

Ecclesiastes 10:18

By much slothfulnesse the building decayeth] By the slothfulnesse of both hands, when they will not mend the house, but hang down remisly, the house decays.

the building] Or, the roof.

the house droppeth thorow] Or, it drops into the house.

Ecclesiastes 10:19

wine maketh merry] Psalms 104:15.

maketh merry] Heb. maketh glad the life.

answereth] Or, makes to answer: that is, procures.

Ecclesiastes 10:20

Curse not the king] Exodus 22:28.

thought] Or, conscience.

curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber] Heb. in the chambers of thy bed: that is, in the most secret place.

for a bird of the air shall carry the voice] It shall be revealed by some unexpected means suddenly, either by Gods especiall providence, who hates ill thoughts against kings, or by the policie of princes, who have spies in all places.