Ecclesiastes 10 13

Ecclesiastes 10:13 kjv

The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

Ecclesiastes 10:13 nkjv

The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness.

Ecclesiastes 10:13 niv

At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness?

Ecclesiastes 10:13 esv

The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.

Ecclesiastes 10:13 nlt

Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions,
so their conclusions will be wicked madness;

Ecclesiastes 10 verses

Ecclesiastes 10 13 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 10:13 concisely illustrates the escalating nature of a fool's communication: what begins as mere thoughtless or naive foolishness quickly deteriorates into actively harmful and destructive verbal expressions, ultimately revealing and reflecting a corrupt inner character. The trajectory of a fool's speech moves from irrationality to pernicious wickedness.

Ecclesiastes 10 13 Context

Ecclesiastes 10 is part of Qoheleth’s (the Preacher’s) observations on wisdom and folly in daily life and leadership. The chapter juxtaposes the profound benefits of wisdom against the ruinous consequences of folly, particularly in the public sphere. It highlights how even small foolish acts can have significant negative repercussions (v. 1). Immediately preceding verse 13, verse 12 contrasts the gracious and self-benefiting words of the wise with the self-destructive words of the fool. Verse 13 then elaborates on the precise progression of a fool's speech, detailing how it degrades from mere initial nonsense to malicious and dangerous utterance, reinforcing Qoheleth's pervasive theme of the destructive power of folly "under the sun."

Ecclesiastes 10 13 Word analysis

• The beginning of the words of his mouth:

  • beginning: (רֵאשִׁית, re’shit). Refers to the start, the initial stage, or the fundamental quality. It denotes what first emanates from the fool.
  • words: (דִּבְרֵי, divrei). Refers to spoken utterances, pronouncements, or discourses.
  • of his mouth: (פִּיהוּ, pihu). Clearly indicates speech originating from the individual.
  • This phrase emphasizes that the very first things a fool says, or the underlying nature of their initial communication, sets the tone.

• is foolishness:

  • foolishness: (אִוֶּלֶת, ivvelet). Denotes irrationality, moral senselessness, and actions contrary to wisdom. It's not mere ignorance but a lack of moral discernment, often rooted in arrogance or spiritual blindness (e.g., the fool of Psalm 14:1). This implies a base, non-productive quality.

• and the end of his talk:

  • end: (אַחֲרִית, acharit). Signifies the outcome, consequence, or latter stage. It speaks to what the speech eventually leads to or reveals.
  • talk: (דִּבָּתוֹ, dibbato). This word is significant. While it can simply mean "his talk" or "what he says," it frequently carries a stronger, negative connotation of "slander," "evil report," "malicious whispering," or "reproach" (e.g., Num 14:36, Ps 15:3). Its use here strongly suggests that the fool’s discourse degenerates into active malice or libel, not merely continuing to be nonsensical. This means it isn't just about his speech to others, but potentially the harmful "report" or reputation generated about him or by him.

• is evil madness:

  • evil: (רָעָה, ra'ah). Means wicked, harmful, bad, injurious, destructive. It describes the character and impact of the "madness."
  • madness: (הוֹלֵלוּת, holelut). Denotes wild, destructive folly, a raving or frenzied absurdity that lacks moral boundaries and often leads to self-destruction or harm to others. It is folly that has become dangerous and perverse.
  • This phrase reveals the full, terrifying progression: the initial foolishness (mere irrationality) transforms into a destructive, malevolent insanity in the final output of the fool’s speech. It is a path from senselessness to active harm.

Ecclesiastes 10 13 Bonus section

The degenerative path of the fool's speech as described in Ecclesiastes 10:13 illustrates the biblical principle that words are not neutral; they are powerful and carry consequences. This verse emphasizes that the very source of evil—a heart removed from wisdom and righteousness—will invariably manifest itself through destructive verbal acts. The "evil madness" at the end of the fool's talk is a severe consequence not only for the listener but primarily for the fool himself, whose own words become a snare to his soul, consuming him as suggested in the preceding verse (Eccl 10:12). It underscores a profound truth from Proverbs that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Prov 18:21).

Ecclesiastes 10 13 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 10:13 serves as a profound warning regarding the dangerous trajectory of foolish communication. The Preacher asserts that the initial words spoken by a fool are fundamentally flawed, characterized by absurdity and lack of wisdom (அிெைலத், ivvelet). This "foolishness" is not simply a harmless lack of intelligence; it denotes a moral and spiritual deficiency, an inherent resistance to truth and wisdom.

However, the verse reveals that this initial folly does not remain static. It inevitably progresses, culminating in "evil madness" (ோலלות רעה, holelut ra'ah). The progression implies that a fool's talk grows increasingly corrupt and destructive over time or as it unfolds. The key term (திப்பாֹת, dibbato), which can mean "his talk" but often carries the nuance of "slander" or "evil report," powerfully illustrates this degeneration. The fool's utterances not only expose his disordered mind but actively cause harm, potentially through malicious gossip, destructive accusations, or reckless abandon. This escalating depravity of speech directly reflects the inner spiritual condition of the fool. His words are not an accidental stumble, but the outward manifestation of a heart given over to what is destructive and senseless. This understanding compels believers to guard their speech diligently, remembering that what proceeds from the mouth reveals what is truly in the heart (Matt 12:34) and that such destructive talk must be renounced (Col 3:8). The verse cautions against the casual reception of foolish words, as they inherently carry the seed of something much more pernicious.