Ecclesiastes Chapter 10 verse 15 Holy Bible
The labor of fools wearieth every one of them; for he knoweth not how to go to the city.
read chapter 10 in ASV
The work of the foolish will be a weariness to him, because he has no knowledge of the way to the town.
read chapter 10 in BBE
The labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city.
read chapter 10 in DARBY
The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
read chapter 10 in KJV
read chapter 10 in WBT
The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn't know how to go to the city.
read chapter 10 in WEB
The labour of the foolish wearieth him, In that he hath not known to go unto the city.
read chapter 10 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 15. - The labor of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city. The transition from plural to singular is here made, The work of fools wearieth him that knoweth not, etc. "Fools' work" signifies, perhaps, the vain speculations about Providence which Koheleth constantly condemns; or at any rate, all vain and objectless toil and trouble. Not to know the way to the city is probably a proverbial saying expressive of gross ignorance concerning the most obvious matters. How should one, who fails in the knowledge open to all experience, be able to investigate and give an opinion about abstruse questions (comp. Isaiah 35:8)? For the last clause other interpretations have been proposed, such as, the fool knows not how to transact public business (which is introducing a modern idea); the oppressed peasant knows not the way to the town where he might obtain redress; he is so foolish that he does not understand where he may find patrons whom he may bribe to plead his cause; he is an Essene, who avoids cities; he cannot make his way to the new Jerusalem, the city of God. But these artificial explanations are to be rejected, while the simple interpretation given above is plainly consistent with the context. The lesson is not to meddle with things too high, especially when you are ignorant of the commonest matters. A little wisdom would prevent endless and useless trouble.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(15) To go to the city.--Evidently a proverbial expression; "is not able to find his way on a plain road." (Comp. Isaiah 35:8.)
