September 30
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ECCLESIASTES 10
Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench;
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right,
but a fool’s heart to the left.
3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense,
and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place,
for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
– Ecclesiastes 10:1-7
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ECCLESIASTES 10 ON FOLLY, WISDOM & CALMNESS
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
The heart is the source of our words and actions
When the heart is upright, it will manifest wisdom
A fool’s heart is inclined to do thoughtless things
It feeds the pleasure-seeking selfish nature to sin
Folly is like the stench of dead flies over a perfumed area
No matter how little they are, it pollutes the fragrance
Folly is so obvious that you can spot it very easily
Fools lack sense and just do things out of recklessness
They don’t look, hear or use their minds when they do or say things
They are automated to follow their self-centered desires and motives
The wise exudes their wisdom and it always makes sense when they speak
They are good listeners and talk very little; they think before they open their lips
The wise do not react and let their feelings stir them up; they are calm
Their calmness pacifies even the maddest person and quiets their soul.
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REFLECTION
• What are the traits of foolish people that are easy to spot?
• How can calmness pacify even the angriest person?