Ecclesiastes 10:3 kjv
Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
Ecclesiastes 10:3 nkjv
Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool.
Ecclesiastes 10:3 niv
Even as fools walk along the road, they lack sense and show everyone how stupid they are.
Ecclesiastes 10:3 esv
Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
Ecclesiastes 10:3 nlt
You can identify fools
just by the way they walk down the street!
Ecclesiastes 10 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 10:23 | Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom. | Foolishness as behavior |
| Prov 12:23 | A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. | Fools reveal their folly |
| Prov 13:16 | Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool parades his folly. | Fool's actions expose them |
| Prov 14:16 | A wise man is cautious and turns from evil, But a fool is reckless and overconfident. | Fool's characteristic conduct |
| Prov 15:2 | The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly. | Fool's speech reveals character |
| Prov 17:28 | Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent. | Folly revealed by opening mouth |
| Prov 26:11 | As a dog returns to its vomit, So a fool repeats his folly. | Recurrence of fool's behavior |
| Matt 7:16 | You will know them by their fruits. | Actions reveal character |
| Lk 6:45 | The good man brings forth good out of the good treasure...the evil man brings forth evil...out of the evil treasure of his heart; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. | Heart's abundance shown by words/actions |
| Jam 2:18 | Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works. | Inner state revealed by outer actions |
| 1 Sam 2:3 | For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And by Him actions are weighed. | God weighs actions |
| Jn 3:20-21 | For everyone who does evil hates the Light...but he who practices the truth comes forth into the Light. | Deeds show whether for good or evil |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. | Definition of a fool |
| Prov 17:10 | A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool. | Fool's lack of receptiveness |
| Prov 27:22 | Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle...yet his folly will not depart from him. | Fool's inherent stubbornness |
| Prov 1:32 | For the backsliding of the naive will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them. | Consequences of folly |
| Prov 5:23 | He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray. | Fatal outcome of rejecting wisdom |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | Contrast: Wisdom illuminates the path |
| Prov 4:18-19 | But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn...The way of the wicked is like darkness. | Contrast: Path of wisdom vs. folly |
| Ps 14:1 | The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." | Folly is often spiritual rebellion |
| Rom 1:21-22 | Though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God...Professing to be wise, they became fools. | Professed wisdom turning to true folly |
| Job 1:22, 2:10 | (Job) did not sin nor charge God with wrong... (Job's wife) Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die! | Contrast: Integrity vs. foolish speech |
| 1 Cor 1:18, 25 | For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing...the foolishness of God is wiser than men. | World's view of 'folly' vs. God's wisdom |
| Isa 32:6 | For a fool will speak foolishness, and his heart will busy itself with iniquity. | Inner folly results in outward speech and evil actions |
| Jer 4:22 | For My people are foolish, they know Me not...They are shrewd in doing evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. | Folly as lack of knowing God, skillful in evil |
Ecclesiastes 10 verses
Ecclesiastes 10 3 Meaning
Even when a foolish person goes about their daily life and interactions, their inherent lack of sound judgment and discernment becomes undeniably evident to everyone. Their actions, words, and decisions consistently expose their inner foolishness, making it clear to observers that they are indeed a fool.
Ecclesiastes 10 3 Context
Ecclesiastes, penned by Koheleth (the Preacher), often explores the meaninglessness or vanity ("hevel") of human endeavor "under the sun"—meaning from a purely earthly perspective, without explicit divine intervention or eternal hope. Chapter 10 specifically deals with the practical consequences of wisdom versus folly in everyday life and in leadership. Verses immediately preceding 10:3 describe how a little folly can spoil much wisdom, likening it to a dead fly spoiling precious ointment. Following 10:3, Koheleth continues to observe how the actions of the foolish (and sometimes wise) manifest themselves in society and often lead to chaotic or unjust outcomes. This verse serves as an observation that the nature of folly is inherently self-exposing, no matter the circumstances, because it flows from an inner lack of sense. It illustrates a pervasive truth in the world "under the sun."
Ecclesiastes 10 3 Word analysis
Yea also, when he that is a fool:
- The introductory phrase emphasizes the inevitability and pervasive nature of this truth.
- fool (
כסיל, k'sil): This Hebrew term for fool does not merely imply lack of intelligence or naiveté. Instead, it signifies someone who is morally perverse, stubbornly resistant to wisdom and instruction, often arrogant in their ignorance, and rebellious against divine truth and good counsel. This type of folly is a characteristic of their inner being, a fixed disposition.
walketh by the way:
- walketh (
הלך, halakh): More than just physical locomotion, "walking" in Hebrew thought signifies one's general conduct, lifestyle, and how one lives out their life. It refers to their public behavior and daily interactions. - by the way (
בדרך, ba-derekh): Refers to the path of life, one's course of action, and how they navigate their everyday existence. This indicates that the fool's exhibition of folly is not limited to specific, unusual situations but is part of their ordinary, commonplace life.
- walketh (
his wisdom faileth him:
- wisdom faileth him (often translated as "his heart is devoid of sense" or "his understanding is lacking"). The Hebrew here is
חסר לבו(hasar libbo), which literally means "his heart lacks." - heart (
לב, lev): In ancient Hebrew understanding, the "heart" is the seat of intellect, understanding, judgment, will, emotion, and conscience—the core of a person's inner being. It is where decisions are made and where one truly thinks. - faileth/lacks (
חסר, hasar): Implies a deficiency, an absence of something crucial. What the fool lacks is not necessarily academic knowledge, but rather practical discernment, sound judgment, moral clarity, and the common sense required to navigate life wisely. Their inner compass is broken or absent.
- wisdom faileth him (often translated as "his heart is devoid of sense" or "his understanding is lacking"). The Hebrew here is
and he saith to every one that he is a fool:
- saith (
אמר, amar): While this can mean to speak explicitly, in this context, it often refers to communicating or proclaiming through actions, attitudes, and character rather than direct verbal declaration. - The fool's conduct, poor decisions, senseless speech, and lack of perception betray their internal state to all who observe them. They effectively "proclaim" or "announce" their folly to everyone without needing to utter the words, "I am a fool." Their very manner of life serves as their announcement.
- saith (
Words-group analysis:
- "walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him": This phrase highlights the inescapable link between the fool's inner state (lacking sense in the heart) and their outer conduct (their walk/life path). What they lack internally is immediately manifested externally through their behavior, revealing their deficiency.
- "he saith to every one that he is a fool": This emphasizes the public and unavoidable nature of a fool's self-revelation. Folly cannot be truly concealed; it inevitably comes to light through persistent, unwise actions and words.
Ecclesiastes 10 3 Bonus section
The observation in Ecclesiastes 10:3, though seemingly pessimistic like much of the book, implicitly underscores the value of genuine wisdom. While life "under the sun" might appear meaningless or chaotic, the distinction between a wise person and a fool remains stark, and their respective consequences are evident. The fool's self-exposure emphasizes that character is not merely a private affair; it shapes one's public identity and influences interactions within the community. For those seeking wisdom, this verse serves as a caution against hypocrisy or pretending to be wise, for the truth will inevitably reveal itself through actions. It highlights a universal truth about human nature, a practical reality that spans all cultures and times.
Ecclesiastes 10 3 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 10:3 vividly illustrates the inherent inability of a fool to hide their true nature. The Koheleth observes that even in their mundane daily walk, a fool's inner deficiency of practical wisdom and moral discernment is painfully evident. It's not about them verbally admitting their folly, but rather about their consistent poor judgment, impulsive decisions, irrational arguments, and disregard for sensible counsel that scream out their foolishness to every observer. Their very life becomes a loud, undeniable testament to their lack of understanding, making them a source of either amusement or frustration to others. This verse serves as a sober reminder that true character, especially folly, cannot be camouflaged; it will inevitably manifest through one's conduct and speech.