Ecclesiastes 10:17
Happy is the land whose ruler is of noble birth, and whose chiefs take food at the right time, for strength and not for feasting.
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
In Context
16Unhappy is the land whose king is a boy, and whose rulers are feasting in the morning.
18When no work is done the roof goes in, and when the hands do nothing water comes into the house.
Cross References
Deuteronomy 14:26And with the money get whatever you have a desire for, oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your soul's desire may be: and make a feast there before the Lord your God, and be glad, you and all your house;
Proverbs 31:4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?
Isaiah 5:11Cursed are those who get up early in the morning to give themselves up to strong drink; who keep on drinking far into the night till they are heated with wine!
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 10:17-20
Mutual Duties of Princes and Subjects. 16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. 19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things. 20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse… Read the whole commentary →