Ecclesiastes 10:2
A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
Majority Standard Bible
In The King James Version
A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.
In Context
1As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
Cross References
Proverbs 14:8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.
Proverbs 17:16Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?
Ecclesiastes 10:10If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
Luke 12:18Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my crops and my goods.
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 →