Ecclesiastes 10:15

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 10:15

The labour of the foolish wearieth everyone of them ,.... The labour of fools, both in speaking and doing, weary those who have any concern with them, and themselves likewise, since all their labour is vain and fruitless; because he knoweth not how to go to the city ; to any city, the road to which is usually broad, and plain and easy to be found, and yet cannot be found by the foolish man; showing, that he that talks of abstruse things, things too high and wonderful for him, which he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:15

He knoweth not how to go to the city - I suppose this to be a proverb: "He knows nothing; he does not know his way to the next village." He may labor; but for want of judgment he wearies himself to no purpose. 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 10:15

The labor of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city . The transition from plural to singular is here made, The work of fools wearieth him that knoweth not, etc . "Fools' work" signifies, perhaps, the vain speculations about Providence which Koheleth constantly condemns; or at any rate, all vain and objectless toil and trouble. Not to know the way to the city is probably a proverbial saying expressive of gross ignorance concerning the most... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:15

The sense is: “The fool wearies himself with ineffectual attempts, he has not sufficient knowledge for the transaction of ordinary business.” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 10:12-15

Ecclesiastes 10:12-15. The words of a wise man are gracious Hebrew, חן , grace: as they are profitable, so they are acceptable to others, procuring him favour with those that hear him. But the lips of a fool will swallow up himself His discourses are ungracious and offensive to others, and therefore pernicious to himself. The beginning of his words is foolishness, &c. All his talk, from the beginning to the end, is foolish and sinful; the more he talks the more his folly and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:1-20

Thoughts on wisdom and folly (9:13-10:20)A simple story illustrates how a person may be wise and humble, but the good he does is not appreciated by those who benefit from it. Riches, status and a show of power are the things people admire. If a person lacks these, he is ignored or despised, even though his quiet words of wisdom may save a city from destruction (13-18).One foolish act can spoil a lot of good. Stupidity leads to wrongdoing and marks a person out as a fool in the eyes of everyone... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 10:15

labour = toil. foolish. Hebrew. kesil, as in Ecclesiastes 10:2 and Ecclesiastes 10:12 ; not sakal, as in verses: Ecclesiastes 10:3 , Ecclesiastes 10:6 , Ecclesiastes 10:13 , Ecclesiastes 3:14 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:15

Ecclesiastes 10:15. The labour of the foolish, &c.— He will weary himself with foolish labour, not knowing how to go to the city. From the 10th to this verse, Solomon proceeds to shew that such a choice as that mentioned on Ecc 10:7 answers no purpose; as he who employs unfit ministers makes the government heavier to himself, instead of getting any ease, which is the natural design of appointing ministers, or subordinate instruments of government. This is again made out from proverbial... read more

Group of Brands