Ecclesiastes 4:13
A poor young person who's wise is better than an old and foolish king who no longer accepts advice.
Free Bible Version
In The King James Version
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
In Context
14He may even come out of prison to reign over his kingdom, even though he was born poor.
Cross References
1 Kings 22:8“Yes, there's another man who could consult the Lord,” the king of Israel replied, “but I don't like him because he never prophesies anything good for me—it's always bad! His name is Micaiah, son of Imlah.” “You shouldn't talk like that,” said Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 24:20Then the Spirit of God came to Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and told them, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you break the Lord's commandments so that you cannot be successful? Since you have abandoned the Lord, he has abandoned you.’”
Proverbs 19:1Better to be poor but honest than stupid and tell lies.
Proverbs 28:15A wicked ruler lording it over poor people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 4:8-13
The Vanity of Human Wishes. 7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. 8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is… Read the whole commentary →