Ecclesiastes 10

A brief and impressionistic commentary as the goal of finishing the book of Ecclesiastes looms.

On some level, futility remains a theme in this chapter, but I also find portions to be fairly esoteric,
for example, “A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left” (10:2) I assume
this means something simple like a wise man knows and pays attention to his heart,
but what is wisdom?
A series of paraphrases / loose interpretations
10: 1-3
Good is easily spoiled by bad, like flies in a fine ointment or a mistake that turns a good reputation
into one of scandal. Also, a fool betrays his foolishness when he speaks.


10:5-7
Don’t be surprised if things are turned on their head: foolish actions are honored,
the wealthy are disgraced, the lowly are esteemed, and those of noble quality go unnoticed.
Commentary: a buffoon is president of the United States (“folly is set in great dignity” -10:6b)
10:8-9
Nature will laugh at your labor.
10:15-18
Sloth will cost you--even the sloth of others--via deterioration of things that need attention for upkeep.
(The landlord of the property next to me rented the house without doing any repairs.
The facia board was/is even missing in spots. A racoon lived in the attic, whom I witnessed
sauntering to-and-fro on the roof and into the attic. Not surprisingly, the renters/campers have
piled garbage outside, let a plethora of dogs run loose, and continually peed in various spots
so that it smells like urine when I sit outside. The grass is all dead in front and back thanks
to dogs, human pee, and a perpetually rotating residency of about a dozen people.)
10:20
Avoid gossip and complaining against those who hold a higher place than you;
what you say will eventually reach the subject of your complaint.

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