Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Ecclesiastes 10:3

Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way The general drift of the proverb seems plain enough. "Even when the fool is in the way(either literally, -whenever and wherever he goes," or figuratively, -when he has been put in the right path of conduct"), his heart(i. e.his intellect) fails him, and he manifests his folly." The last clause, however, admits of two constructions, each of which has the support of high authorities, (1) he saith to every one that he(the fool himself) is a fool, i. e.betrays his unwisdom in every word he utters; or (2) he says to every man that he(the man he meets) is a fool, i. e.in his self-conceit he thinks that he alone is wise (comp. Romans 12:16). On the whole the latter construction seems preferable. So it is notoriously the most significant symptom of insanity that the patient looks on all others as insane. It may be noted that (1) finds a parallel in Proverbs 13:16; Proverbs 18:2; (2) in Proverbs 26:16.

Continues after advertising

BibliaPlus

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Ecclesiastes 10:3

Old Testament

New Testament