Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
A "serpent will bite" if "enchantment" is not used; "and a babbling calumniator is no better." Therefore, as one may escape a serpent by charms (Psalms 58:4-5), so one may escape the sting of a calumniator by discretion (Ecclesiastes 10:12), [HOLDEN]. Thus, "without enchantment" answers to "not whet the edge" (Ecclesiastes 10:10), both expressing, figuratively, want of judgment. MAURER translates, "There is no gain to the enchanter" (Margin, "master of the tongue") from his enchantments, because the serpent bites before he can use them; hence the need of continual caution. Ecclesiastes 10:8-10, caution in acting; Ecclesiastes 10:11 and following verses, caution in speaking.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Ecclesiastes 10:11
Ecclesiastes 10:12
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