\\INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES 10\\

This chapter treats of the difference between wisdom and folly; and of
the preferableness of the one, to the other, especially in civil
government: folly is compared to a dead or deadly fly; a little of
which as much hurts a wise man's reputation, as that does the most
precious ointment, \\#Ec 10:1\\. A wise man and a fool differ in the
situation of their heart; which is in the one on the right hand, in the
other on the left, \\#Ec 10:2\\; the folly of the latter lies not only in
his heart, but betrays itself throughout the whole of his conversation,
\\#Ec 10:3\\. And it is one part of wisdom in a subject to bear patiently
the anger of his prince, and not in a passion and at once leave his
service, \\#Ec 10:4\\. And, among the follies of princes, this is a great
one; to bestow their honours and favours on improper persons, to the
neglect of such as are deserving, \\#Ec 10:5-7\\. And several proverbial
expressions are used, as cautions to a wise man against plotting
mischief to others; breaking in upon the constitution and laws of a
commonwealth; weakening the strength of the state by an methods, and
making discord in it, and carrying thin by mere strength and force;
when, if wisdom used, it would direct to proper ways and means, by
which things would be managed to the best advantage, \\#Ec 10:8-10\\. Then
the babbling of fools against a government is exposed, which is like
the secret bite of a serpent, \\#Ec 10:11\\; and the difference between the
words of wise men, which express grace and kindness, and are amiable
and acceptable to men; and those of fools, which destroy themselves,
begin in folly, and end in mischief; are noisy, and without meaning; do
not direct to things most plain and easy, but wearisome and fatiguing
to themselves and others, \\#Ec 10:12-15\\. Next the unhappiness of a land
is observed, when the governors of it are childish, intemperate,
slothful, and prodigal; the happiness of a country when it is the
reverse, \\#Ec 10:16-19\\; and the chapter is concluded with advice not to
curse a king, or any great personage; no, not in the most private and
secret manner; since, by one means or another, it will be discovered
\\#Ec 10:20\\.