Ecclesiastes 10:11

11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee.

Ecclesiastes 10:11 in Other Translations

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

11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.

11 If a snake bites before you charm it, what’s the use of being a snake charmer?

11 If the snake bites before it's been charmed, What's the point in then sending for the charmer?

11 If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.

11 If a snake bites before it has been charmed, then there is no advantage in being a snake charmer.

11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.

11 Suppose a snake bites before it is charmed. Then there isn't any benefit in being a snake charmer.

Ecclesiastes 10:11 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 10:11

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment
See ( Jeremiah 8:17 ) . Or rather, "without a whisper" ^F20; without hissing, or any noise, giving no warning at all: so the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "in silence"; some serpents bite, others sting, some both; see ( Proverbs 23:32 ) ; some hiss, others not, as here; and a babbler is no better;
a whisperer, a backbiter, a busy tattling body, that goes from house to house, and, in a private manner, speaks evil of civil governments, of ministers of the word, and of other persons; and; in a secret way, defames men, and detracts from their characters: such an one is like a venomous viper, a poisonous serpent or adder; and there is no more guarding against him than against such a creature that bites secretly.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 (vxl alb) "absque susurro", Pagniuus; "absque sibilo", Tigurine version.

Ecclesiastes 10:11 In-Context

9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.

10 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.

11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee.

12 Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.

13 At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness—

Cross References

• 1. S Psalms 58:5; S Isaiah 3:3