....he knoweth not how to go to the city. Ecclesiates 10:15

There seems to be much to comment upon today.

Ecc 10:15    The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

This verse reminds me much of John Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress and Jesus' teaching in...

Matthew 7:13   (KJV)

13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Luk 13:22    And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

Luk 13:23    Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

Luk 13:24    Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

John Gill writes..

Ecclesiastes 10:15

The labour of the foolish wearieth everyone of them,.... The labour of fools, both in speaking and doing, weary those who have any concern with them, and themselves likewise, since all their labour is vain and fruitless;

because he knoweth not how to go to the city; to any city, the road to which is usually broad, and plain and easy to be found, and yet cannot be found by the foolish man; showing, that he that talks of abstruse things, things too high and wonderful for him, which he affects to know, must needs be a stranger to them, since things the most easy to be understood he is ignorant of, and wearies himself to find; or he does not know how to behave himself in a city, among citizens, in a civil and polite manner. The Targum is,

"he learns not to go to the city, where wise men dwell, to learn instruction from it.''

Some interpret it of the city of Jerusalem, where were the temple, sanhedrim, synagogues, schools, &c. but it may be better applied to the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, which fools or wicked men know not the way unto, nor do they seek after it; see Psa 107:7; so Alshech interprets it of heaven.

Read the whole chapter here...

Btw another similar verse is..

Pro 17:28    Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

I guess I should pay attention!

Ecc 10:1    Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

Ecc 10:2    A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.

Ecc 10:3    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.

Ecc 10:4    If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

Ecc 10:5    There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:

Ecc 10:6    Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

Ecc 10:7    I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

Ecc 10:8    He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

Ecc 10:9    Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

Ecc 10:10    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.

Ecc 10:11    Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

Ecc 10:12    The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Ecc 10:13    The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk ismischievous madness.

Ecc 10:14    A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

Ecc 10:15    The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

Ecc 10:16    Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!

Ecc 10:17    Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

Ecc 10:18    By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

Ecc 10:19    A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.

Ecc 10:20    Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.