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

1As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink, so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor. A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one. 3You can identify fools just by the way they walk down the street! 4If your boss is angry at you, don’t quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes.

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 you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.
• Proverbs 14:8The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.
• Luke 14:28“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?
• Ecclesiastes 10:10Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.
• Proverbs 17:16It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning.
• Luke 12:18Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.

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