Ecclesiastes 10:13
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
World English Bible British
In The King James Version
In Context
12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
Cross References
Judges 14:15On the seventh day, they said to Samson’s wife, “Entice your husband, that he may declare to us the riddle, lest we burn you and your father’s house with fire. Have you called us to impoverish us? Isn’t that so?”
1 Samuel 22:7Saul said to his servants who stood around him, “Hear now, you Benjamites! Will the son of Jesse give everyone of you fields and vineyards? Will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds?
1 Samuel 25:10Nabal answered David’s servants and said, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants who break away from their masters these days.
2 Kings 6:27He said, “If the LORD doesn’t help you, where could I get help for you? From the threshing floor, or from the wine press?”
Proverbs 13:16Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.
Ecclesiastes 5:2Don’t be rash with your mouth, and don’t let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore 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 →