A wise person’s good sense protects him, ¹  but a fool’s lack of sense leaves him vulnerable. ² 

biblegateway Ecc 10:2

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

A wise man's heart goes to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.

A wise person’s heart leads the right way. The heart of a fool leads the wrong way.

biblegateway Ecc 10:2

The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.

A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.

bibleoremus Ecc 10:2

The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.

The minds of the wise turn to the right, but the mind of a fool to the left.

biblegateway Ecc 10:2

A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left.

A wise man’s heart [is] at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.

biblegateway Ecc 10:2

A wise person’s good sense protects him, ¹  but a fool’s lack of sense leaves him vulnerable. ² 

¹ tn Heb “a wise man’s heart is at his right hand.” The phrase “right hand” is a Hebrew idiom for the place of protection (e.g., Pss 16:8; 110:5; 121:5). In ancient warfare, the shield of the warrior on one’s right-hand side protected one’s right hand. Qoheleth’s point is that wisdom provides protection (e.g., Eccl 7:12).

² tn Heb “and the heart of a fool is at his left hand.” The fool lacks the protection of wisdom which is at the right-hand side of the wise man (see note on “right hand” in the previous line). The wise man’s heart (i.e., good sense) protects him, but the fool is always getting into trouble.