If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. If the iron be blunt - If the axe have lost its edge, and the owner do not sharpen it, he must apply the more strength to make it cut: but the wisdom that is profitable to direct will teach him, that he should whet his axe, and spare his strength. Thus, without wisdom and understanding we cannot go profitably through the meanest concerns in life.
Related Commentaries of Ecclesiastes 10:10
Ecclesiastes 10:10
10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.