Ecclesiastes10chapter 10

Aramaic Targum to Ecclesiastes 10:1

Chapter 10 targum. And the yetzer hara (evil inclination ) which dwells at the gates of the heart is like a fly and causes death in the world because it betrays the wise when he sins and wounds the good name which had resembled anointing oil scented by perfumes, and how much more beautiful and precious than the wisdom of the wise and the wealth of the wealthy is a man whose folly is little and light.

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Rashi on Ecclesiastes 10:10

If the axe is blunt. Sharp swords, whose sharp edges have become dull. 15 The Gemara in Maseches Ta’anis 7b, applies this verse to the type of student to whom studies are hard as iron [=ברזל].

Read it in full at Sefaria · The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001

Aramaic Targum to Ecclesiastes 10:10

10. And when the people of Israel sin, and the heavens will become hard as iron and not give rain and that generation does not pray before 'ה so that the rain does not fall therefore, the whole world is wasted by famine, and when they repent and are assembled overcome their Yetzer and appoint leaders to seek mercy from the God of Heaven, they have pleasure due to the abundance of the excellence of their wisdom..

Read it in full at Sefaria · Sefaria Community Translation

Rashi on Ecclesiastes 10:12

The words of a wise man find favor. In the eyes of their listeners, and they listen to him, and it is good for him that he assumes greatness over them.

Read it in full at Sefaria · The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001

Rashi on Ecclesiastes 10:13

The beginning of his words is foolishness. When the Holy One, Blessed Is He, said to him [Bilam], “Who are these men with you?” 23 Bamidbar:9.

Read it in full at Sefaria · The Metsudah Five Megillot, Lakewood, N.J., 2001