Tyndale Open Study NotesEcclesiastes 10

one sinner destroys...a little folly outweighs: A little foolishness can ruin things. Sin and foolishness can quickly undo much good.

These two proverbs highlight the foolishness of unwise people. They make poor choices, and their actions reveal their lack of wisdom.

A ruler is anyone who has authority.

Giving power to those who cannot use it wisely is a big mistake. Favoritism, nepotism, extortion, and bribery can put reckless people in powerful positions.

slaves on horseback...princes go on foot: Compare Proverbs 19:10.

Every activity needs wisdom. People show wisdom by taking safety precautions in their jobs, but some risk always remains.

skill produces success: In every job, tools must be in good condition to work well. Sharpening a dull ax is wise for those who rely on it for their livelihood.

One reason to charm a snake is to prevent it from biting, but a snake charmer risks a bite before charming it. Some jobs are so dangerous that smart people avoid them completely.

Fools face ruin from making foolish promises, giving false testimony, and angering the wrong people (see 5:6; Proverbs 17:20; 18:6–7; 19:5, 9).

• the fool multiplies words: Fools often speak about nothing important (see Ecclesiastes 5:3; 6:11; Proverbs 10:19; 17:28).

• who can tell him what will come after him?: Wise people avoid foolish talk and its consequences (see James 4:13–16).

The audience for this speech might have been a group of government workers. How should a leader govern when power and wealth lead to a lack of responsibility?

People who rarely work get tired quickly when they try to do it.

• A servant does not have leadership skills.

• feast at the proper time: Wise leaders relax only after completing their work, not in the morning before starting. Lazy leaders weaken a society or organization.

Delaying roof repairs causes rafters to sag and eventually ruins the home (see Proverbs 12:27; 20:4). Government corruption has a similar impact (Ecclesiastes 10:15–16).

money is the answer for everything: It helps you get what you want or need in this world (see Ecclesiastes 7:11–12).

It is often a mystery how others know what we have said. To manage our reputation, we should manage our thoughts.