Ecclesiastes 9:16

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

JPS TaNaKH 1917

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

17The words of the wise spoken in quiet are more acceptable than the cry of a ruler among fools.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 9

Cross References

Proverbs 10:15The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the ruin of the poor is their poverty.

Proverbs 24:5A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

Ecclesiastes 9:18Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good.

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 →

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