Ecclesiastes 9:15

Now there was in the town a poor, wise man, and he, by his wisdom, kept the town safe. But no one had any memory of that same poor man.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.

In Context

14There was a little town and the number of its men was small, and there came a great king against it and made an attack on it, building works of war round about it.

16Then I said, Wisdom is better than strength, but the poor man's wisdom is not respected, and his words are not given a hearing.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 9

Cross References

Genesis 40:23But the wine-servant did not keep Joseph in mind or give a thought to him.

Esther 6:2It came out that it was recorded in the book how Mordecai had given word of the designs of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's servants, keepers of the door, by whom an attack on the king had been designed.

Ecclesiastes 4:13A young man who is poor and wise is better than a king who is old and foolish and will not be guided by the wisdom of others.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 9:14-18

The Advantages of Wisdom. 13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: 14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. 17 The words of… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 9:15