Matthew Poole and continuators on Ecclesiastes 10:20

20 Curse not the king , no not in thy thought , and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber : for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter .

Having spoken of the miscarriages of Kings, he now gives a caution to their Subjects, that they should not thence take occasion to speak irreverently or contemptuously of them, or wish or design any evil against their Persons or Government: For though vices may be condemned, wheresoever they are, yet both Reverence and Obedience are due to Magistrates, as they are Gods Vicegerents and Ordinances, notwithstanding their vices, as is manifest from Rom. 13. 1, &c. 1 Pet. 2. 13, &c.

In the most secret manner, by giving way to such thoughts or affections; for these will very probably break forth into such words and practices.

The Princes or Governours under the King, who are commonly rich: or any other rich men, who can oppress or punish thee by their Wealth, as well as Kings can do it by their Power.

Where thy Wife or Servant may hear thee, and afterwards through folly or passion discover it to thy ruine.

The King will hear of it by unknown and unsuspected hands, as if a Bird had chanced to be at the window when thou didst speak the words, and did hear them, and carry the report of it unto the King. It is a proverbial expression, as when we say, Hedges have Ears, and the Walls will speak. Hence Kings are said to have long Ears.

Marginal references: Ex. 22. 28.; Or, [illegible: 1 word]