Ecclesiastes 10:12 — Meaning and Application

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.

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. {a babbler: Heb. the master of the tongue}

The words of a wise man's mouth {are} gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. {gracious: Heb. grace}

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

A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? {is full...: Heb. multiplieth words}