Ecclesiastes 10:20 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Curse not the king Having spoken of the miscarriages of kings, he now gives a caution to their subjects, that they should not thence take occasion to speak irreverently or contemptuously of them, or wish or design any evil against their persons or government. For though vices may be condemned wheresoever they are, yet both reverence and obedience are due to magistrates, as they are God's deputies and vicegerents, and that, notwithstanding their vices, as is manifest from Romans 13:1, &c.; 1 Peter 2:13. No, not in thy thought In the most secret manner, by giving way to such thoughts and affections, for these would very probably break forth into disloyal words and practices: and curse not the rich The princes or governors under the king, who are commonly rich; for a bird, &c., shall carry the voice The king will hear of it by unknown and unsuspected hands, as if a bird had heard and carried the report of it.