20150608 Monday, June 8 2015
Ecclesiastes 10: Which Way Is Right And Left?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left"

The English-language word "right" originated from an Anglo-Saxon word, reiht, that mean straight, or true. The word "reign," meaning to rule, originated from the same root word for straight. It's no coincidence then that "ruler" is used to refer to a either straightedge (a "hand tool consisting of a flat rigid rectangular bar, metal or wood, that can be used to draw straight lines or test their straightness") or a monarch ("a nation's ruler or head of state").

The English word "righteous," meaning right wise, also originated from the same Anglo-Saxon root i.e. reiht, as explained above, and wis, meaning wise. In its original form, "righteous" simply meant straight in behavior, or not a fool in thought and attitude. God's Way isn't about "religion." It's about not being a self-inflicted loser (see Straight and True and Strait And Straight).

"Right" is used to translate the Hebrew word, pronounced yaw-meen, which means, in its full intent, almost exactly the same as the English word - the reason that the Messiah now sits "at the right Hand of God" (see the Fact Finder question below).

The English-language word "left" originated from an Anglo-Saxon word, left, that meant weak or worthless. It wasn't a matter that something "left" was itself weak or worthless (i.e. the left hand - the Biblical examples show that natural dexterity was not the point of the principle), but in relative terms, it was the opposite of the earlier term for "right," as explained above. Hence "leftists" (whether they are right or left handed is irrelevant) oppose the "right" - a conservative government or a moral group of people. "Leftist" is synonymous with loser or fool.

"Left" is use to translate the Hebrew word, pronounced sem-ole, which meant the opposite direction from right - but once again is almost identical to the principle of how "leftists" (be they right or left handed) oppose what is good and right. Even Solomon, when he became a leftist, was still able to know the principle - although he had by then become nearly oblivious to the fact that he was talking as much about himself as any other (see Solomon's Ballad To Losers and Solomon's Bubbles).

"10:2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left." (Ecclesiastes 10:2 KJV)

As it is used in the Bible, the principle of "left" was the consideration. Being left handed or turning to the left were not regarded as bad, if they were, the same as for everyone else, done wisely. Examples:

"13:8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left." (Genesis 13:8-9 KJV)

"1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:7 KJV)

"20:16 Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss. (Judges 20:16 KJV)

Solomon's descent is in itself the greatest lesson about wisdom. Wisdom can be lost - if not cared for, and cared about. It's also what turned a wise and righteous angel into Satan the Devil - the first leftist loser (see What Is Satan's Real Name?).

"10:1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. 10:2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. 10:3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool. 10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

10:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: 10:6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. 10:7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

10:8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 10:9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

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.

10:11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 10:14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

10:15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

10:16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 10:17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

10:18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.

10:20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter." (Ecclesiastes 10:1-20 KJV)

Fact Finder: What did the Messiah do that enabled Him to now sit at the Right Hand of God?
See Who Sits At The Right Hand Of God?