Ecclesiastes 10:11

If a serpent bite in silence, he is nothing better that backbiteth secretly.

Douay-Rheims 1899

In The King James Version

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

In Context

10If the iron be blunt, and be not as before, but be made blunt, with much labour it shall be sharpened: and after industry shall follow wisdom.

12The words of the mouth of a wise man are grace: but the lips of a fool shall throw him down headlong.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 10

Cross References

Psalms 58:4The wicked are alienated from the womb; they have gone astray from the womb: they have spoken false things.

Psalms 64:3Thou hast protected me from the assembly of the malignant; from the multitude of the workers of iniquity.

Jeremiah 8:17For behold I will send among you serpents, basilisks, against which there is no charm: and they shall bite you, saith the Lord.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 10:5-12

Mutual Duties of Princes and Subjects. 4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences. 5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. 8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9 Whoso removeth stones… Read the whole commentary →

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Study Ecclesiastes 10:11