![[Photo of a Scripture verse]](https://www.deankwilson.com/Blog_images/Ecclesiastes_10_2.jpg)
| “The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.” |
| —Ecclesiastes 10:2 |
We already know, from reading the Book of Proverbs, that King Solomon enjoyed sharing pithy sayings. In his examination of a life “under the sun” without a relationship with God, Solomon shares a number of proverbs with those reading his writings in the Book of Ecclesiastes. Note what Solomon has written, as recorded in Ecclesiastes 10:1-11:
As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. Even as fools walk along the road, they lack sense and show everyone how stupid they are.
If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest. There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones. I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.
If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee.
If you examine each of these proverbs carefully, you will see some interesting parallels between humans living their lives without a relationship to God and those who live in harmony with God’s purposes because He has chosen them to belong to Himself. What often appears to us as the natural outcome of events in life—sometimes appearing more as chance than as purpose—really has the impetus of God behind them.
Of particular interest to me is the statement found in Ecclesiastes 10:2:
The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.
This is not a political statement. Though I have recently heard some of my Conservative friends use it as such. Rather, it is a reflection of common courtesy afforded all those who traveled on the roads of King Solomon’s day—and even later in history, the roads of the Roman Empire and beyond. Travelers kept to the right side of the road to assure that they could pass each other, in the opposite direction, with ease.
(My friends in the UK and other nations who drive on the left side of the road may object. I intend them no discourtesy.)
A wise person follows the “rules of the road” and keeps to the right. The foolish person, thinking himself or herself above the law, will purposefully move to the left side and run the risk of a head on collision.
As we begin a new day, we need to remember that God has laid out a pathway for our lives. We need to stay on that pathway, keeping to the “right” and avoiding the “wrong” side. If we do so, we will experience all that life has to offer because of our relationship with the God who loves us and gave Himself for us through His Son, Jesus.
