Ecclesiastes 10:8

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6 ^aFolly is set in¹ great dignity,
While the rich sit in a lowly place.

7 I have seen servants ^aon horses,
While princes walk on the ground like servants.

8 ^aHe who digs a pit will fall into it,
And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.

9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them,
And he who splits wood may be endangered by it.

10 If the ax is dull,
And one does not sharpen the edge,
Then he must use more strength;
But wisdom¹ brings success.

11 A serpent may bite ^awhen it is not charmed;
The¹ babbler is no different.

12 ^aThe words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious,
But ^bthe lips of a fool shall swallow him up;

Commentaries:

Barnes' Notes

<< Ecclesiastes 10:7

Ecclesiastes 10:9 >>

Ecclesiastes 10:8-10

The figures seem to be taken from the work of building up and pulling down houses. In their general application, they recommend the man who would act wisely to be cautious when taking any step in life which involves risk.

Ecclesiastes 10:8

Breaketh an hedge - Rather: "breaks through a wall."

Serpent - The habit of snakes is to nestle in a chink of a wall, or among stones (compare Amos 5:19).

Ecclesiastes 10:9

Be endangered - Rather: "cut himself."

Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Ecclesiastes 10:8:

Ecclesiastes 10:8-10
Habakkuk 3:14

<< Ecclesiastes 10:7

Ecclesiastes 10:9 >>

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