If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.
If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
If the serpent biteth without enchantment, Then there is no advantage to a master of the tongue.
If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.
Ecclesiastes — Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament).
E C C L E S I A S T E S CHAP. X. This chapter seems to be like Solomon's proverbs, a collection of wise sayings and observations, rather than a part of his sermon; but the preacher studied to be sententious, and "set in order many proverbs," to…