This balanced saying contrasts the wise person with the fool. It could be an independent saying typical of those found in Proverbs (see a similar contrasting saying in 7.4). It argues for the superiority of wisdom, the theme of 9.17. But it also serves a discourse purpose, introducing “the fool” as the subject of the following verse.

A wise man’s heart: we have lots of evidence of Qoheleth’s use of the term heart as “mind” (see, for instance, 7.25; 8.9), or “will.”

Toward the right: the noun clause that forms this first half of the verse is followed by a prepositional phrase, literally “to his right.” Qoheleth’s use of right and left should not be confused with modern social and political terms, which have meanings like “conservative” and “radical.” The right has the sense of what is correct, the place of authority and honor, of moral uprightness. In many cultures around the world, the word right has exactly this sense, so no adjustment will have to be made. A verb needs to be provided, however, and Revised Standard Version suggests inclines, meaning that the person’s mind guides or directs him in that direction. In languages where right does not have the same sense as in the Biblical culture, a substitute can be made: “The thoughts of a person push him to do the correct [or moral, or honorable, or right] thing.” Good News Translation offers a good English translation: “It is natural for the wise to do the right thing.”

But a fool’s heart toward the left: the opposite situation applies to the fool. Left in the Old Testament carries a value judgment also. It speaks of what is wrong, misguided, and weak. Again, in many cultural settings this word will have exactly the same meaning as in Hebrew, so no adjustment will be necessary. Alternatively we can say with Good News Translation “It is natural … for fools to do the wrong thing,” or as Jerusalem Bible, “the fool’s heart leads him astray.”

We have already noted that this proverb is perfectly balanced in Hebrew:
heart of the wise to the right [of him]

and
heart of the fool to the left [of him]

The translator should attempt to imitate this proverb-like style in a way that is natural.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Ecclesiates. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .