Ecclesiastes 10:4

If a principall spirite be geuen thee to beare rule, be not negligent then in thine office: for he that can take cure of him selfe, auoydeth great offences.

Bible (Bishops')

In The King James Version

If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

In Context

3A foole wyll shewe him selfe when he goeth by the way, yet thinketh he that euery man doth as foolishly as him self.

5Another plague is there whiche I haue seene vnder the sunne, namely, the ignoraunce that is commonly among princes: in that a foole sitteth in great dignitie, and the riche are set downe beneath.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 10

Cross References

Proverbs 25:15With pacience is a prince pacified, and with a softe tongue is rigorousnesse broken.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 10:2-4

The Advantages of Wisdom. 1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. 2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. 3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool. In these verses Solomon shows, I. What great need wise men have to take heed of being guilty of any instance of folly; for a little folly… Read the whole commentary →

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