Ecclesiastes 10:13 Meaning and Explanation
“The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The fool's speech starts as mere foolishness and ends in harmful madness, growing worse the longer it runs.
What Does Ecclesiastes 10:13 Mean?
Continuing the portrait of the fool's lips, the Preacher traces the path of his talk from start to finish. It opens in plain foolishness and descends into mischievous madness. Unchecked, his words do not improve but deteriorate.
This is a study in the momentum of folly: what begins as silliness can ripen into something genuinely harmful. The mouth reveals the heart, and an undisciplined heart leads the tongue downhill. The verse urges watchfulness over our words from their very first syllable, asking God to guard the door of our lips before folly gathers speed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 10:13
What does Ecclesiastes 10:13 mean?
The fool's speech starts as mere foolishness and ends in harmful madness, growing worse the longer it runs.