Ecclesiastes 10 2

Ecclesiastes 10:2 kjv

A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.

Ecclesiastes 10:2 nkjv

A wise man's heart is at his right hand, But a fool's heart at his left.

Ecclesiastes 10:2 niv

The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.

Ecclesiastes 10:2 esv

A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.

Ecclesiastes 10:2 nlt

A wise person chooses the right road;
a fool takes the wrong one.

Ecclesiastes 10 verses

Ecclesiastes 10 2 Meaning

This verse states a fundamental observation: the internal disposition of an individual's "heart" determines the direction and outcome of their life. A wise person's core inclination guides them towards prudent, beneficial, and advantageous choices and paths. In stark contrast, a foolish person's intrinsic inclination steers them towards disadvantageous, erroneous, and destructive decisions. It highlights that wisdom and folly are deeply rooted in one's inner character, not merely superficial actions.

Ecclesiastes 10 2 Context

This verse is found within Ecclesiastes chapter 10, which explores the pervasive and often disproportionate impact of both wisdom and folly in various life scenarios, particularly concerning rulers and common individuals. The Preacher (Koheleth) often observes life "under the sun," highlighting life's paradoxes, the limitations of human effort, and the pervasive nature of vanity (hevel). Within this context, wisdom emerges as a pragmatic advantage, even if it doesn't resolve all of life's enigmas or injustices.

Verse 10:2 sets a foundational principle: that the deep, internal orientation of one's "heart" is the root cause for why wise actions yield better outcomes and foolish actions lead to detriment. It serves as a diagnostic statement, explaining the behaviors described in the rest of the chapter and the book—from a "little folly" outweighing great wisdom (10:1) to the dangers of foolish talk (10:11-14) and leadership (10:5-7). It is an essential premise to understand why wisdom consistently leads to advantage and folly to disadvantage.

Ecclesiastes 10 2 Word Analysis

• A wise man's: The Hebrew word for "wise" is chakam (חָכָם), denoting someone who is skillful, discerning, and prudent, possessing practical wisdom that guides their life choices and actions effectively. It encompasses moral intelligence and a sound judgment.
• heart: The Hebrew word lev (לֵב) is far more expansive than the modern English "heart." In the Old Testament, it refers to the entirety of a person's inner being—the seat of intellect, will, emotions, conscience, intentions, and moral character. It is the control center from which all life's decisions and dispositions flow.
• directs him toward the right: "Right" is yamiyn (יָמִין), referring to the right hand or side. Figuratively, it signifies the correct, proper, advantageous, skillful, or honorable path. In biblical culture, the right hand was typically associated with strength, favor, blessing, authority, and prosperity. Here, it denotes an inclination towards prudence, good judgment, and actions that lead to favorable outcomes.
• but: This conjunction marks a strong contrast, emphasizing the diametrically opposed inclinations of the wise and the foolish.
• the foolish man's: The Hebrew word for "foolish" is kesil (כְּסִיל), which refers to more than mere intellectual deficiency. It describes a morally and spiritually dull person who is obstinate, arrogant in their wrongness, resistant to instruction, and acts without foresight, often despising wisdom itself. This "fool" is fundamentally self-destructive.
• heart: Again, lev (לֵב), referring to the inner core of the foolish person, which is fundamentally misaligned, lacking discernment, and steering towards destructive paths.
• directs him toward the left: "Left" is s'mol (שְׂמֹאל), referring to the left hand or side. Figuratively, it can be associated with what is less preferred, awkward, less skillful, or an improper direction, leading to disadvantage, error, or even ruin. Here, it indicates an inclination towards imprudence, poor judgment, and actions that yield unfavorable consequences.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• A wise man's heart directs him: This highlights the internal impetus. The very core being of a wise individual is inherently oriented towards sound and beneficial choices. It speaks to an internal moral compass that instinctively points toward what is beneficial and proper. Their disposition is their guide.
• directs him toward the right: This phrase describes the natural outflow and outcome of the wise heart's inclination. It signifies a trajectory toward advantageous, honorable, and successful practical outcomes. It's not just making one good choice, but having a general tendency toward prosperity and well-being.
• the foolish man's heart directs him: Similar to the wise, the fool's actions also originate from their "heart." However, this heart is intrinsically misguided, obstinate, and resistant to wisdom, causing their internal compass to point erroneously.
• directs him toward the left: This phrase reveals the detrimental path and consequences of the foolish heart. Their trajectory is one of disadvantage, poor decisions, ruin, and dishonor. Their entire bearing and actions lean towards outcomes that cause self-inflicted harm or fail to yield prosperity.
• The heart as the compass: The central theme is that one's inner disposition—the "heart" as the control center of thoughts, will, and moral character—determines the trajectory and consequences of one's life. The verse makes a powerful statement about how deep-seated character shapes one's practical existence.

Ecclesiastes 10 2 Bonus section

• The metaphor of "right" and "left" paths for moral or practical direction is not unique to Ecclesiastes. Many cultures historically associate the right side with good fortune, skill, or correct action, and the left with less favor or incorrectness. This lends the verse a universal appeal in conveying its message about discerning choices.
• In the Bible, being "at the right hand" of God or a king often signifies a position of authority, honor, or blessing (e.g., Psa 110:1, Mark 14:62). Conversely, in judgment scenes, those on the "left" are typically those who are excluded or condemned (Matt 25:41). While Koheleth here is observing practical consequences "under the sun," the imagery subtly aligns with broader biblical themes of orientation towards blessing or disadvantage.
• The emphasis on the "heart" being the primary director aligns with the biblical emphasis on internal transformation rather than mere external conformity. What originates in the core of one's being will inevitably manifest in one's life's trajectory.
• The contrast here sets the stage for understanding the chaotic consequences of foolishness contrasted with the order and benefit of wisdom that are further explored in Ecclesiastes, such as in situations of leadership and everyday decisions.

Ecclesiastes 10 2 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 10:2 offers a succinct yet profound truth about the wellspring of human conduct: character dictates destiny. The Preacher asserts that the core essence of a wise person—their "heart" or inner disposition—is fundamentally aligned towards prudence, foresight, and advantageous actions, leading them naturally down beneficial paths. Conversely, the "heart" of a foolish person, being spiritually and morally dull, inclines them towards reckless, shortsighted, and ultimately detrimental choices. This is not merely about individual choices but about an inherent orientation of one's inner being. It underscores that true wisdom isn't just about what one knows, but about the fundamental direction of one's internal moral compass. The practical implications are vast: cultivating a wise heart is paramount for navigating life's challenges successfully, while allowing foolishness to reside within leads inevitably to disadvantage and error.