Ecclesiastes 10:13
The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
Majority Standard Bible
In The King James Version
In Context
12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
Cross References
Judges 14:15So on the fourth day they said to Samson’s wife, “Entice your husband to explain the riddle to us, or we will burn you and your father’s household to death. Did you invite us here to rob us?”
1 Samuel 22:7Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds?
1 Samuel 25:10But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters.
2 Kings 6:27He answered, “If the LORD does not help you, where can I find help for you? From the threshing floor or the winepress?”
Proverbs 13:16Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.
Ecclesiastes 5:2Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 10:13-16
The Contemptibleness of Folly. 12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? 15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city. Solomon, having shown the benefit of wisdom, and of what great… Read the whole commentary →