Ecclesiastes 9:18-10:7

New American Standard Bible

^18 (A)Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but ^(B)one sinner destroys much good.

A Little Foolishness

10 Dead flies turn a ^(C)perfumer’s oil rancid, so a little foolishness is more ^[a]potent than wisdom and honor. ² A wise person’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish ^(D)person’s heart directs him toward the left. ³ Even when the fool walks along the road, his ^[b]sense is lacking, and he ^[c](E)demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool. ⁴ If the ruler’s ^[d]temper rises against you, ^(F)do not abandon your place, because ^(G)composure puts great offenses to rest.

⁵ There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like a mistake that proceeds from the ruler: ^6 (H)foolishness is set in many exalted places while the rich sit in humble places. ⁷ I have seen ^(I)slaves riding ^(J)on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.