Chapter 638 of 1163

Ecclesiastes 10

The wiser you are, the more damage even a little folly can do to both your character and your reputation. The world seems to honor the fool and humiliate the honorable (vv. 5–7), but that is no reason for you to permit even a little folly in your life.

In Bible times, the right hand stood for honor and the left hand for dishonor (Matt. 25:33, 41). Verse 2 is another way of saying what Solomon wrote in Proverbs 4:23. If you guard your heart, you will avoid folly in your work (vv. 8–10) and your words (vv. 11–14). Verse 10 is Solomon’s version of, “Don’t work harder, work smarter!” Don’t lose your cutting edge!

Leaders who live for themselves are only wasting time, resources, and opportunities for service, and that is folly (vv. 16–19). Yes, they have a good time at the expense of the citizens, but eventually, their folly will catch up with them.

Are there any “dead flies” that need to be taken out of the perfume of your life?

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