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10 If the ax becomes dull, and the blade is not sharpened, then effort must be increased. But the advantage of wisdom is success.

11 If the snake bites before it is charmed,
    then there is no advantage in a charmer.[a]
12 Words from the mouth of the wise win favor,
    but the lips of fools consume them.

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Footnotes

  1. 10:10–11 Ax…success…snake…charmer: possession of the proper skill (a form of “wisdom”) can ensure success, as in the case of a sharpened ax; but one must use it before it is too late (v. 11). Cf. Sir 12:13.