Bible verse

Ecclesiastes 10:1

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

Ecclesiastes 10:1 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 10:1 in context

The verses around it, from Ecclesiastes 10.

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

2 A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.

3 Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.

4 If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler:

Read all of Ecclesiastes 10

Ecclesiastes 10:1 in other translations

KJV

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.

ASV

Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.

ERV

Dead flies cause the ointment of the perfumer to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.

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All of Ecclesiastes 10 Ecclesiastes 10:2 →

Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible, which is free of copyright restrictions for use on websites. Read the full Bible on Great Faith.