Add parallel Print Page Options

10 If the ax is dull and no one sharpens its edge, the person chopping must apply more strength, but an advantage of wisdom is that it gives success.

11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to having a charmer.[a]

12 Words from a wise man’s mouth bring favor, but a fool’s lips swallow him up.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 10:11 The Hebrew expression for snake charmer is master of the tongue, so in Hebrew there is a connection between this proverb and the proverbs that follow, which is not apparent in English.