Where is my heart? Ecclesiastes 10:2 says, “A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.”
During Bible times, the left hand was seen as bad. Right-handed people were good, and left-handed people had a severe problem. Of course, we know that there is nothing inherently about the left hand, but the cultural view was highly regarded.
In addition, the right hand of an authority figure was seen as a place of exaltation. Sitting or standing at the right hand of a king was a sign of honor and respect.
Solomon employs this figure of speech in this passage. The wise man has his heart where it ought to be…at his right hand. The foolish man? He doesn’t care. He goes along in life unconcerned about where he has been, where he is, where he is going, and what he is doing.
He literally has an aura of foolishness around him! Verse 3 says, “Even when a fool walks along the way, he lacks wisdom, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.” His heart and his cares are in the wrong place, and everyone knows it.
What do people think of me when I walk along the way?
The heart of the wise is where it should be,
The heart of the fool is aloof and carefree.
People can easily point out the wise,
And the fool, just as quickly, they spot with their eyes.
