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10 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 in Other Translations
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
10 Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.
10 Remember: The duller the ax the harder the work; Use your head: The more brains, the less muscle.
American Standard Version (ASV)
10 If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
10 If an ax is blunt and the edge isn't sharpened, then one has to use more strength. But wisdom prepares the way for success.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
10 If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
10 Suppose the blade of an ax is dull. And its edge hasn't been sharpened. Then more effort is needed to use it. But skill will bring success.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 Meaning and Commentary
Ecclesiastes 10:10
If the iron be blunt
With which a man cleaves wood: the axe, made of iron: and he do not whet the edge;
with some proper instrument to make it sharper, that it may cut the more easily; then must he put to more strength;
he must give a greater blow, strike the harder, and use more force; and yet it may not be sufficient, or; it may be to no purpose, and he himself may be in the greatest danger of being hurt; as such are who push things with all their might and main, without judgment and discretion; but wisdom [is] profitable to direct;
this is the "excellency" of wisdom, that it puts a man in the right way of doing things, and of doing them right; it directs him to take the best methods, and pursue the best ways and means of doing things, both for his own good and the good of others; and so it is better than strength, ( Ecclesiastes 9:16 Ecclesiastes 9:18 ) .
Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
Ecclesiastes 10:10 In-Context
8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
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.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
