Ecclesiastes 10:4 nasb — If the ruler's temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.

NASB

"If the ruler's temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses."

— Ecclesiastes 10:4, NASB

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Ecclesiastes 10:4 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 10 — Context

1

Dead flies make a perfumer's oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.

2

A wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left.

3

Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.

4

If the ruler's temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.

5

There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler--

6

folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.

7

I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.

Ecclesiastes 10:4 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 10:4 say?
Ecclesiastes 10:4 in the NASB reads: “If the ruler's temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 10:4 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 10:4 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 10, verse 4.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 10:4.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 10:4 in?
Ecclesiastes 10:4 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 10:4?
Ecclesiastes 10:4 reads (NASB): “If the ruler's temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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