Ecclesiastes 10:12-14 NASB

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:12-15

Solomon, having shown the benefit of wisdom, and of what great advantage it is to us in the management of our affairs, here shows the mischief of folly and how it exposes men, which perhaps comes in as a reflection upon those rulers who set folly in great dignity. I. Fools talk a great deal to no purpose, and they show their folly as much by the multitude, impertinence, and mischievousness of their words, as by any thing; whereas the words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, are grace,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:12

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious ,.... Or "grace" F21 חן "gratia", Montanus, Mercerus, Drusius, Cocceius, Rambachius. . He speaks kind and good things in favour of the characters of men, and not as the babbling detractor: he speaks well of civil magistrates and rulers in the state; of the ministers of the word in the church; and of all his fellow creatures, as far as can with truth be said: and a truly good and gracious man, who is Solomon's wise man, in opposition to a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:13

The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness ,.... As soon as ever he opens his mouth, he betrays his folly; the first word he speaks is a foolish one; or it is from the abundant folly in his heart that he speaks, which is the source and spring of all his foolish talk; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness ; to himself and others; as he goes on, he appears more and more foolish, and yet more confident of his own wisdom; and is resolutely set on having his own way... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:14

A fool also is full of words ,.... Or, "multiplies words" F25 ירבה "multiplicabit", Pagninus, Montanus; "multiplicat", Vatablus, Mercerus, Drusius, Amama, Gejerus, Rambachius, Cocceius. . Is very talkative, says the same thing over and over again; uses an abundance of waste words, that have no meaning in them; utters every thing that comes uppermost, without any order or judgment; affects to talk on every subject, whether he knows anything of it or not; and will engross all the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:12

The words of a wise man's mouth - Every thing that proceeds from him is decent and orderly, creditable to himself, and acceptable to those who hear him. But the lips of the fool, which speak every thing at random, and have no understanding to guide them, are not only not pleasant to others, but often destructive to himself. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:14

A man cannot tell what shall be - A foolish babbling man will talk on every subject, though he can say as little on the past, as he can on the future. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:12

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious ; literally, are grace ; i.e. they net only are pleasing in form and manner, but they conciliate favor, produce approbation and good will, convince and, what is more, persuade. So of our blessed Lord it was said, "All bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words ( τοῖς λόγοις τῆς χάριτος ) which proceeded out of his mouth" ( Luke 4:22 ; cutup. Psalms 45:2 ). In distinction from the unready man, who, like the snake-charmer... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:12-15

Section 14. The mention of "the master of the tongue" in Ecclesiastes 10:11 leads the author to introduce some maxims concerned with the contrast between the words and acts of the wise, and the worthless prating and useless labors of the fool . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:13

The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness . A confirmation of the last clause of the preceding verse. The fool speaks according to his nature. "As saith the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked cometh forth wickedness" ( 1 Samuel 24:13 ; cutup. Proverbs 15:2 ; Isaiah 32:6 ). As soon as he opens his month he utters folly, unwisdom, silliness. But he does not stop there. The end of his talk is mischievous madness. By the time he has finished, he has committed himself... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:14

A fool also is full of words. The word for "fool" here is oaks/, which implies a dense, confused thinker. Alive the word was kesil, which denotes rather the self-confidence of the dull and stupid man. Moreover the fool multiplieth words . He not only speaks foolishly, but he says too much (comp. Ecclesiastes 5:2 ). It is not mere loquacity that is here predicated of the fool, though that is one of his characteristics, but, as-the rest of the verse shows, the prating of things about... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:12-15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:12-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:14

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