Ecclesiastes 10:13

The beginning of his words is folly; and the last thing of his mouth is the worst error. (His words begin with foolishness; and the last thing out of his mouth is the worst error of all.)

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

In Context

12The words of the mouth of a wise man be grace; and the lips of an unwise man shall cast him down. (The words out of the mouth of a wise person bring him favour; but the lips of an unwise person shall bring him down.)

14A fool multiplieth words; a man knoweth not, what was before him, and who may show to him that, that shall come after him? (or and who can show him what shall come after him?)

Read all of Ecclesiastes 10

Cross References

Judges 14:15And when the seventh day came, they said to the wife of Samson, Gloss thine husband, and counsel him, that he show to thee what the problem signifieth. That if thou wilt not do it, we shall burn thee and the house of thy father. Whether therefore ye called us to [the] weddings, that ye should rob us? (And when the fourth day came, they said to Samson’s wife, Flatter thy husband, and counsel him, so that he show thee what the answer is. And if thou wilt not do this, we shall burn down thee and thy father’s house as well. Or have ye only called us to the wedding, so that ye could rob us?)

1 Samuel 22:7he said to his servants that stood nigh [to] him, Ye sons of Benjamin, hear me now; whether the son of Jesse shall give to all you fields and vineries, and he shall make all you chieftains upon thousands, and upon hundreds of men? (and he said to his officers who stood about him, Ye sons of Benjamin, hear me now; will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards, and will he make all of you chieftains over thousands, and chieftains over hundreds?)

1 Samuel 25:10Forsooth Nabal answered to the young men of David, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? Today servants [have] increased that flee their lords (or Today too many servants have fled from their lords).

2 Kings 6:27Which said, Nay, the Lord save thee; whereof may I save thee? (out) of [the] cornfloor, either (out) of [the] presser? (Who said, No, the Lord save thee! from where can I save thee? out of the threshing floor, or out of the winepress?)

Proverbs 13:16A fell man doeth all things with counsel; but he that is a fool, shall open folly. (A clever person doeth everything with forethought, or only after advice; but he who is a fool, shall lay open his foolishness for all to see.)

Ecclesiastes 5:2Speak thou not anything follily (or Do not thou say anything foolish), neither (let) thine heart be swift to bring forth a word before God; for God is in heaven, and thou art on earth, therefore (let) thy 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 →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 10:13