---
title: Joseph Smith Translation (1867 edition)
description: Ecclesiastes from the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), 1867 edition.
authors:
  - Smith, Joseph, Jr.
collections:
  - joseph-smith
tags:
  - translation
published: "1867"
publisher: RLDS Publication Board
publisher_place: Plano, Illinois
publisher_note: "The title page reads: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Joseph Smith, I. L. Rogers, E. Robinson, Publishing Committee; 1867."
edition: First edition (Plano, 1867)
language: en
type: book
chapter: 10
verse_count: 20
reference: "Joseph Smith Jr., *Joseph Smith Translation*, first edition (Plano, IL: RLDS Publication Board, 1867), Ecclesiastes, chap. 10, https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  identifier: holyscripturestr00smituoft
  scan: University of Toronto / Trinity College Library copy, Internet Archive
  transcription: "OCR text of the 1867 scans (Toronto copy and a second copy, holyscriptures00smit), reconciled word by word; Romans was also checked against the page images. Method, per-chapter validation log and known limits: docs/jst-1867-import.md."
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: 1867 US publication
  source: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  publication_year: 1867
---

# Ecclesiastes 10

*Of wisdom and folly.*

**1** Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour; so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
**2** A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
**3** Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
**4** If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
**5** There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler;
**6** Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
**7** I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
**8** He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
**9** Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
**10** If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength; but wisdom is profitable to direct.
**11** Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
**12** The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
**13** The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
**14** A fool also is full of words; a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
**15** The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
**16** Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
**17** Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
**18** By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
**19** A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry; but money answereth all things.
**20** Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber; for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.