Ecclesiastes 10 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Heart — His understanding is always present with him and ready to direct him. He mentions the right hand, because that is the common instrument of action. A fool's — His understanding is not effectual to govern his affections and actions.

Walketh — In his daily conversation. He saith — He discovers his folly to all that meet him.

The spirit — The passion. Leave not — In anger or discontent. Continue in a diligent and faithful discharge of thy duty, and modestly and humbly submit to him. Yielding — A gentle and submissive carriage.

The rich — Wise and worthy men, rich in endowments of mind.

An hedge — Whereby another man's fields or vineyards are distinguished, that he may either take away their fruits, or enlarge his own fields.

Whoso removeth — Stones too heavy for them: who rashly attempts things too high and hard for them.

Wisdom — As wisdom instructs a man in the smallest matters, so it is useful for a man's direction in all weighty affairs.

Without — If not prevented by the art and care of the charmer; which practice he does not justify, but only mentions by way of resemblance.

Gracious — Procure him favour with those who hear him.

Full of words — Forward to promise and boast what he will do, whereas none can be sure of future events, even during his own life, much more after his death.

Wearieth — Fools discover their folly by their wearisome and fruitless endeavours after things which are too high for them. Because — He is ignorant of those things which are most easy, as of the way to the great city whither he is going.

A child — Either in age, or childish qualities. Eat — Give up themselves to eating and drinking. Morning — The fittest time for God's service, for the dispatch of weighty affairs, and for sitting in judgment.

Nobles — Not so much by birth, as by their noble dispositions.

Thy thought — In the most secret manner. The rich — Princes or governors. A bird — The king will hear of it by unknown and unsuspected hands, as if a bird had heard and carried the report of it.