Ecclesiastes 9:16

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

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

In Context

15Now 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.

17The words of the wise which come quietly to the ear are noted more than the cry of a ruler among the foolish.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 9

Cross References

Proverbs 10:15The property of the man of wealth is his strong town: the poor man's need is his destruction.

Proverbs 24:5A wise man is strong; and a man of knowledge makes strength greater.

Ecclesiastes 9:18Wisdom is better than instruments of war, but one sinner is the destruction of much good.

Mark 6:2And when the Sabbath day had come, he was teaching in the Synagogue; and a number of people hearing him were surprised, saying, From where did this man get these things? and, What is the wisdom given to this man, and what are these works of power done by his hands?

John 9:24So they sent a second time for the man who had been blind and they said to him, Give glory to God: it is clear to us that this man is a sinner.

James 2:2For if a man comes into your Synagogue in fair clothing and with a gold ring, and a poor man comes in with dirty clothing,

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 9:16