1Dead flies make the oil of the perfumer give out an evil smell; more valued is a little wisdom than the great glory of the foolish. 2The heart of the wise man goes in the right direction; but the heart of a foolish man in the wrong. 3And when the foolish man is walking in the way, he has no sense and lets everyone see that he is foolish. 4If the wrath of the ruler is against you, keep in your place; in him who keeps quiet even great sins may be overlooked. 5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which comes by chance from a ruler: 6The foolish are placed in high positions, but men of wealth are kept low. 7I have seen servants on horses, and rulers walking on the earth as servants. 8He who makes a hole for others will himself go into it, and for him who makes a hole through a wall the bite of a snake will be a punishment. 9He who gets out stones from the earth will be damaged by them, and in the cutting of wood there is danger. 10If the iron has no edge, and he does not make it sharp, then he has to put out more strength; but wisdom makes things go well. 11If a snake gives a bite before the word of power is said, then there is no longer any use in the word of power. 12The words of a wise man's mouth are sweet to all, but the lips of a foolish man are his destruction. 13The first words of his mouth are foolish, and the end of his talk is evil crime. 14The foolish are full of words; man has no knowledge of what will be; and who is able to say what will be after him? 15The work of the foolish will be a weariness to him, because he has no knowledge of the way to the town. 16Unhappy is the land whose king is a boy, and whose rulers are feasting in the morning. 17Happy is the land whose ruler is of noble birth, and whose chiefs take food at the right time, for strength and not for feasting. 18When no work is done the roof goes in, and when the hands do nothing water comes into the house. 19A feast is for laughing, and wine makes glad the heart; but by the one and the other money is wasted. 20Say not a curse against the king, even in your thoughts; and even secretly say not a curse against the man of wealth; because a bird of the air will take the voice, and that which has wings will give news of it.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
To preserve a character for wisdom. (1-3) Respecting subjects and rulers. (4-10) Of foolish talk. (11-15) Duties of rulers and subjects. (16-20) 1-3 Those especially who make a profession of religion, should keep from all appearances of evil. A wise man has great advantage over a fool, who is always at a loss when he has anything to do. Sin is the reproach of sinners, wherever they go, and shows their folly. 4-10 Solomon appears to caution men not to seek redress in a hasty manner, nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion, quit thy post of duty; wait awhile, and thou wilt find that yielding pacifies great offences. Men are not preferred according to their merit. And those are often most forward to offer help, who are least aware of the difficulties, or the consequences. The same remark is applied to the church, or the body of Christ, that all the members should have the same care one for another. 11-15 There is a practice in the East, of charming serpents by music. The babbler's tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison; and contradiction only makes it the more violent. We must find the way to keep him gentle. But by rash, unprincipled, or slanderous talk, he brings open or secret vengeance upon himself. Would we duly consider our own ignorance as to future events, it would cut off many idle words which we foolishly multiply. Fools toil a great deal to no purpose. They do not understand the plainest things, such as the entrance into a great city. But it is the excellency of the way to the heavenly city, that it is a high-way, in which the simplest wayfaring men shall not err, #Isa 25:8|. But sinful folly makes men miss that only way to happiness. 16-20 The happiness of a land depends on the character of its rulers. The people cannot be happy when their princes are childish, and lovers of pleasure. Slothfulness is of ill consequence both to private and public affairs. Money, of itself, will neither feed nor clothe, though it answers the occasions of this present life, as what is to be had, may generally be had for money. But the soul, as it is not redeemed, so it is not maintained with corruptible things, as silver and gold. God sees what men do, and hears what they say in secret; and, when he pleases, brings it to light by strange and unsuspected ways. If there be hazard in secret thoughts and whispers against earthly rulers, what must be the peril from every deed, word, or thought of rebellion against the King of kings, and Lord of lords! He seeth in secret. His ear is ever open. Sinner! curse not THIS KING in thy inmost thought. Your curses cannot affect Him; but his curse, coming down upon you, will sink you to the lowest hell.