Christian Standard Bible
Ecclesiastes 10:2
2A wise person’s heart goes to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.
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 a perfumer’s oil ferment and stink; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. A wise person’s heart goes to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left. 3Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense, and he shows everyone he is a fool. 4If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your post, for calmness puts great offenses to rest.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 10Ecclesiastes 10:2 word by word
לֵ֤ב חָכָם֙ לִֽימִינ֔וֹ וְלֵ֥ב כְּסִ֖יל לִשְׂמֹאלֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:2
- Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
- Proverbs 14:8The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his way, but the stupidity of fools deceives them.
- Luke 14:28“For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?
- Ecclesiastes 10:10If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.
- Proverbs 17:16Why does a fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?
- Luke 12:18I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and 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
In the dictionaries
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
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