Ecclesiastes is a wisdom book that questions the meaning of life and the value of human endeavors. The title 'Qoheleth' suggests one who assembles or teaches a congregation. Its canonicity was debated due to its skeptical tone but was accepted due to its orthodox conclusion of fearing God.
Ecclesiastes
Chapter 10
Dying flies ruin the sweetness of the ointment. Wisdom and glory are more precious than a brief and limited foolishness.
The heart of a wise man is at his right hand, and the heart of a fool is at his left.
Moreover, as a fool is walking along the way, even though he himself is foolish, he considers everyone to be foolish.
If the spirit of a ruler rises up over you, do not leave your place, because carefulness will cause even the greatest sins to cease.
There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, proceeding from the presence of a prince, as if by mistake:
a fool appointed to great dignity, and the rich sitting down before him.
I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking on the ground like servants.
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. And whoever tears apart a hedge, a snake will bite him.
Whoever carries away stones will be harmed by them. And whoever cuts trees will be wounded by them.
If the iron is dull, and it is not as it once was, but has been blunted by much use, then it should be sharpened with much effort. And after wisdom shall follow diligence.
If a snake bites in silence, he is no better who backbites in secret.
Words from the mouth of a wise man are graceful; but the lips of a fool will throw him down headfirst.
The beginning of his words is foolishness, and the end of his talk is a grave error.
A fool multiplies words. A man does not know what things have been before him, and who would be able to reveal to him what will be after him?
The labor of fools will afflict those who do not know how to go into the city.
Woe to you, the land whose king is a child, and whose princes consume in the morning.
Blessed is the land whose king is noble, and whose princes eat at the appropriate time, as a remedy, and not as a means of self-indulgence.
By laziness, a roof shall be brought down, and by the weakness of hands, a house shall be destroyed.
They prepare bread for laughter and wine, so that they may feast cheerfully; but money obeys all things.
Do not criticize the king, even in your thinking, and do not criticize the wealthy, even in your private bedroom. For even the birds of the air will carry your voice, and whoever has feathers will announce your opinion.