10:1 One dead fly makes the perfumer’s ointment give off a rancid stench, so a little folly can outweigh much wisdom.
One bad apple spoils the whole bunch. One little night on the town can lead to AIDS. One little drink can kill an entire family. One little girl can make a fool out of a man in five minutes. One little high can lead to an overdose. Life is full of one-wonder casualties.
10:2 A wise person’s good sense protects him, but a fool’s lack of sense leaves him vulnerable.
The wise man is protected by Bible doctrine. The foolish man lacks Bible doctrine and makes foolish decisions.
10:3 Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, and shows everyone what a fool he is.
People notice idiots walking down the street. All they have to do is open their mouth.
10:4 If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses.
“If you can’t fight city hall, join them.”
10:5 I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes.
Solomon points out the errors of politicians.
10:6 Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions.
Hollywood is Satan’s pulpit. Hollywood glorifies the liberals and discredits the believers.
10:7 I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on foot like slaves.
If one works hard and saves his money, then he may not get ahead. The fool next door might inherit a million dollars. It is the fool who rides the horse and the prince who walks as a slave.
10:8 One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
Those who dig a pit are those who indulge in sin. Eventually, they will fall inside of their own pit. Eventually, they will be snake bit.
10:9 One who quarries stones may be injured by them; one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
Removing stones in that day was property theft, because it was the removing of the markers of property lines. God will not let one get away with sin. Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.
10:10 If an iron ax head is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success.
One must sharpen his tools if he desires to accomplish more work with less energy. Many people want to teach the Word of God without sharpening their tools. Their tools need to be sharpened before one moves out into the weed patch.
10:11 If the snake should bite before it is charmed, the snake charmer is in trouble.
One must be careful in choosing friends. There are people who are like the snake. If one is nice to them and keeps them charmed, then things will go well. But if not, they will strike with lethal poison from their mouth.
10:12 The words of a wise person win him favor, but the words of a fool are self-destructive.
Words are powerful. They can win favor or cause destruction.
10:13 At the beginning his words are foolish and at the end his talk is wicked madness, 10:14 yet a fool keeps on babbling. No one knows what will happen; who can tell him what will happen in the future?
When in a rap session, the fools will say foolish things. They will waste the time of their audience. This is one reason Bible teachers should not have open discussions in their teaching sessions. Satan will send a babbler to waste teaching time.
10:15 The toil of a stupid fool wears him out, because he does not even know the way to the city.
The fool does not know enough to come in out of the rain.
10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is childish, and your princes feast in the morning!
When the leaders of a nation spend time and energy at all-night feasting and partying, then the nation itself is in great peril. Many politicians give themselves over to pleasure instead of ruling the people properly and by being a blessing to their nation.
10:17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time—with self-control and not in drunkenness.
Alcohol has brought many nations down.
10:18 Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of idle hands the house leaks.
The lazy people say, “Take it easy,” “Have a nice day,” and “Don’t work too hard.” In other words, do as little of work as possible and have as much fun as you can. This is the philosophy of satanism.
10:19 Feasts are made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
Many political leaders think that they can solve all of the problems of the world by partying more and raising taxes.
10:20 Do not curse a king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich while in your bedroom; for a bird might report what you are thinking, or some winged creature might repeat your words.
Regardless of the president’s political party or his views, he should not be caricatured or made an object of ridicule. When Nero was emperor, Peter said, “Honor the king.” Once a government official is in power, he should be prayed for but not ridiculed.