Ecclesiastes 10:2

Ecclesiastes 10:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.
• New International Version (NIV)The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left.

Context of Ecclesiastes 10:2

1Dead flies make the oil of the perfumer give off a foul odor; so a little foolishness [in one who is esteemed] outweighs wisdom and honor. A wise man’s heart turns him toward the right [which is the way of blessing], but a fool’s heart turns him toward the left [which is the way of condemnation]. 3Even when a fool walks along the road, his [common] sense and good judgment fail him and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool. 4If the temper of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post [showing resistance], because composure and calmness prevent great offenses.

Ecclesiastes 10:2 word by word

לֵ֤ב חָכָם֙ לִֽימִינ֔וֹ וְלֵ֥ב כְּסִ֖יל לִשְׂמֹאלֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A wise man’sחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• at his right handיָמִיןyâmîyn · rightH3225
• but a fool’sכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• at his leftשְׂמֹאלώemô'l ώem'ôl · leftH8040

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:2

• Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) where you are going.
• Proverbs 14:8The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of [shortsighted] fools is deceit.
• Luke 14:28For which one of you, when he wants to build a watchtower [for his guards], does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to finish it?
• Ecclesiastes 10:10If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength; but wisdom [to sharpen the axe] helps him succeed [with less effort].
• Proverbs 17:16Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no common sense or even a heart for it?
• Luke 12:18Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my storehouses and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2A wise man's heart is at his right hand - As the right hand is ordinarily the best exercised, strongest, and most ready, and the left the contrary, they show, The command which the wise man has over his own mind, feelings, passions, etc., and the prudence with which he acts. And, 2. The want of prudence and management in the fool, who has no restraint on his passions, and no rule or guard upon his tongue. The right hand and the left are used in Scripture…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2The metaphor perhaps means “A wise man‘s sense is in its place, ready to help and protect him; but a fool‘s sense is missing when it is wanted, and so is useless.”Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2-3These two proverbs highlight the foolishness of unwise people. They make poor choices, and their actions reveal their lack of wisdom.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. (Ec 2:14). right--The right hand is more expert than the left. The godly wise is more on his guard than the foolish sinner, though at times he slip. Better a diamond with a flaw, than a pebble without one.Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 10:2

• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Direct
• Idleness
• Prince
• Hand
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings