Ecclesiastes 10:2
New International Version
The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.

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

English Standard Version
A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.

Berean Standard Bible
A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.

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

New King James Version
A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left.

New American Standard Bible
A wise person’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish person’s heart directs him toward the left.

NASB 1995
A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left.

NASB 1977
A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left.

Legacy Standard Bible
A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left.

Amplified Bible
A wise man’s heart turns him toward the right [which is the way of blessing], but a fool’s heart turns him toward the left [which is the way of condemnation].

Christian Standard Bible
A wise person’s heart goes to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A wise man’s heart goes to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.

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

Contemporary English Version
Sensible thoughts lead you to do right; foolish thoughts lead you to do wrong.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A wise person's heart leads the right way. The heart of a fool leads the wrong way.

Good News Translation
It is natural for the wise to do the right thing and for fools to do the wrong thing.

International Standard Version
A wise man's heart tends toward his right, but a fool's heart tends toward his left.

Majority Standard Bible
A wise man?s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.

NET Bible
A wise person's good sense protects him, but a fool's lack of sense leaves him vulnerable.

New Heart English Bible
A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left.

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

World English Bible
A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The heart of the wise [is] at his right hand, "" And the heart of a fool at his left.

Young's Literal Translation
The heart of the wise is at his right hand, And the heart of a fool at his left.

Smith's Literal Translation
The heart of the wise one to his right, and the heart of the foolish one to his left.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The heart of a wise man is in his right hand, and the heart of a fool is in his left hand.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The heart of a wise man is in his right hand, and the heart of a foolish man is in his left hand.

New American Bible
The wise heart turns to the right; the foolish heart to the left.

New Revised Standard Version
The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A wise man's heart thinks rightly; but a fool's heart thinks wrongly.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The heart of the wise is at his right hand and the heart of a fool at his left
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A wise man's understanding is at his right hand; But a fool's understanding at his left.

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

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Wisdom and Folly
1As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 2A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left. 3Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.…

Cross References
Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.

Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Matthew 12:35
The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.

Proverbs 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.

Luke 6:45
The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

Proverbs 15:21
Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.

James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Proverbs 28:26
He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.

Romans 1:21
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.

Proverbs 2:10-11
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul. / Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you,

1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Proverbs 10:8
A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin.

Philippians 1:9-10
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, / so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Proverbs 11:29
He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.


Treasury of Scripture

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

wise

Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Proverbs 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

Luke 14:28-32
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? …

but

Ecclesiastes 10:10,14
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…

Proverbs 17:16
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

Luke 12:18-20
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods…

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Ecclesiastes 10
1. observations of wisdom and folly
7. death in life
9. and the day of judgment in the days of youth, are to be thought on














A wise man’s heart
The term "wise" in Hebrew is "חָכָם" (chakam), which denotes not just intellectual acumen but a deep, practical understanding rooted in the fear of the Lord. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom was highly valued and often associated with moral and ethical living. The "heart" (לֵב, lev) in Hebrew culture is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. Thus, a "wise man’s heart" suggests a person whose entire being is oriented towards wisdom, which is fundamentally aligned with God's will and purposes.

inclines to the right
The "right" side in biblical and ancient Near Eastern symbolism often represents strength, favor, and righteousness. The Hebrew word "יָמִין" (yamin) is used here, which can also imply a position of honor or authority. In the scriptural context, the right hand is frequently associated with God's power and blessing (e.g., Exodus 15:6, Psalm 118:16). Therefore, a wise man's heart inclining to the right suggests a life directed towards righteousness, divine favor, and moral integrity.

but the heart of a fool
The "fool" in Hebrew is "כְּסִיל" (kesil), which refers to someone who is morally deficient, lacking in judgment, and often rebellious against God. In the wisdom literature of the Bible, the fool is not merely someone who lacks knowledge but is one who despises wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7). The "heart of a fool" indicates a person whose inner being is misaligned with God's truth and wisdom, leading to poor decisions and destructive behavior.

to the left
The "left" side, in contrast to the right, often symbolizes weakness, disfavor, or deviation from the norm. The Hebrew word "שְׂמֹאל" (semol) is used here, which can imply a path that is contrary to righteousness. In biblical times, the left side was sometimes associated with misfortune or evil. Thus, the heart of a fool inclining to the left suggests a life that veers away from God's path, leading to moral and spiritual peril.

(2) At his right hand.--Perhaps better, towards his right hand, i.e., leads him to go to the right hand. The thought is the same as Ecclesiastes 2:13, namely, that though the actual results of wisdom are often disappointing, the superiority of wisdom over folly is undeniable.

Verses 2, 3. - A tetrastich contrasting wisdom and folly. Verse 2. - A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. There is here no reference to the classical use of right and left, as ominous of success and disaster, which is never found in the Old Testament. The right hand is the place of honor, the left of inferiority, as a matter of fact, not of superstition and luck. The symbolism is intimated in Christ's account of the judgment (Matthew 25:31, etc.). But in the present passage we should best paraphrase - The wise man's heart, his understanding and sentiments, lead him to what is right and proper and straightforward; the fool's heart leads him astray, in the wrong direction. The former is active and skilful, the latter is slow and awkward. One, we may say, has no left hand, the other has no right. To be at the right hand is to be ready to help and guard. "The Lord is at thy right band," to protect thee, says the psalmist (Psalm 110:5). The wise man's mind shows him how to escape dangers and direct his course safely; the fool's mind helps him not to any good purpose, causes him to err and miss his best object.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A wise man’s
חָכָם֙ (ḥā·ḵām)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

heart
לֵ֤ב (lêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

inclines to the right,
לִֽימִינ֔וֹ (lî·mî·nōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3225: The right hand, side, the south

but the heart
וְלֵ֥ב (wə·lêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

of a fool
כְּסִ֖יל (kə·sîl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool

to the left.
לִשְׂמֹאלֽוֹ׃ (liś·mō·lōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8040: Dark, the north, the left hand


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 10:2 A wise man's heart is at his (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
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