Ecclesiastes 9:17
It's better to listen to the calm words of a wise person than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
Free Bible Version
In The King James Version
The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
In Context
18It's better to have wisdom than weapons of war; but a sinner can destroy a lot of good.
Cross References
1 Samuel 7:3Then Samuel said to all of Israel, “If you sincerely wish to come back to the Lord, then get rid of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreth images you have, and commit yourselves to the Lord and only worship him, and he will save you from the Philistines.”
Isaiah 42:2He won't shout or cry out; he won't raise his voice in the street.
Acts 19:41When he had finished speaking, he dismissed the crowd.
James 3:17However, wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure, and it also brings peace. It is kind and open to reason. It is full of mercy and produces good things. It is genuine and not hypocritical.
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 →