Ecclesiastes 10:1

Translations

Modern

As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

Traditional

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

Literal

Dead flies rising up in the ointment of a perfumer give a stench; a little folly is heavier than wisdom and honor.

Latin

Muscæ morientes perdunt suavitatem unguenti. Pretiosior est sapientia et gloria, parva et ad tempus stultitia.

Original

Hebrew

English

As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

Notes

Ecclesiastes 9:18–10:1

one sinner destroys...a little folly outweighs: A little foolishness can ruin things. Sin and foolishness can quickly undo much good.

Related verses

Matthew 5:13–16
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
Galatians 2:12–14
For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group.
Exodus 30:25
Prepare from these a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a sacred anointing oil.
Nehemiah 13:26
Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin.
2 Chronicles 19:2
Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.
Exodus 30:34–35
The LORD also said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense—in equal measures,
Nehemiah 6:13
He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would sin by doing as he suggested, so they could give me a bad name in order to discredit me.

Glossary

Apothecary Book of Ecclesiastes Fly

Topics

Anointing: Ointment For: Prepared by the Apothecary Apothecary: Ointment of Flies: General Scriptures Concerning Insects: Fly Instruction: from the Study of Human Nature Ointment: Not Sacred Prudence: General Scriptures Concerning

Ecclesiastes 10:1

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