Ecclesiastes 9:16
Then I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
World English Bible Classic
In The King James Version
In Context
17The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools.
Cross References
Proverbs 10:15The rich man’s wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
Proverbs 24:5A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength,
Ecclesiastes 9:18Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.
Mark 6:2When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things?” and, “What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands?
John 9:24So they called the man who was blind a second time, and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.”
James 2:2For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in,
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 →