14 A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn't know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, But the mouth of fools gush out folly.
Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what will be after him?
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?
For he doesn't know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?
Therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, And he multiplies words without knowledge."
In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, But he who restrains his lips does wisely.
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow let's go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit." Whereas you don't know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 10
This chapter seems to be like Solomon's proverbs, a collection of wise sayings and observations, rather than a part of his sermon; but the preacher studied to be sententious, and "set in order many proverbs,' to be brought in in his preaching. Yet the general scope of all the observations in this chapter is to recommend wisdom to us, and its precepts and rules, as of great use for the right ordering of our conversation and to caution us against folly.
Happy the nation when princes and people make conscience of their duty according to these rules.
Ecc 10:1-3
In these verses Solomon shows,
Ecc 10:4-11
The scope of these verses is to keep subjects loyal and dutiful to the government. In Solomon's reign the people were very rich, and lived in prosperity, which perhaps made them proud and petulant, and when the taxes were high, though they had enough to pay them with, it is probable that many conducted themselves insolently towards the government and threatened to rebel. To such Solomon here gives some necessary cautions.
Ecc 10:12-15
Solomon, having shown the benefit of wisdom, and of what great advantage it is to us in the management of our affairs, here shows the mischief of folly and how it exposes men, which perhaps comes in as a reflection upon those rulers who set folly in great dignity.
Ecc 10:16-20
Solomon here observes,