King James Version (KJV) Authorized Version 1611
Read Full Chapter (Ecclesiastes 10) Ecclesiastes 10:11-14 KJV
"Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?"
Ecclesiastes Chapter 10, Verse 11-14
Ecclesiastes 10:11-14 in Context (Verses 8–17 KJV)
8
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9
Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
10
If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.*
12
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.*
13
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.*
14
A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?*
15
The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
16
¶ Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
17
Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!