Ecclesiastes 4:13
Better a boy poor and wise,—than a king, old and stupid, who knoweth not how to take warning any longer.
The Emphasised Bible by J. B. Rotherham
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
14For, out of prison, came he forth to reign, yea, even in his own kingdom, was he born poor.
Cross References
1 Kings 22:8And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Besides, is a certain man, by whom we might seek Yahweh, but, I, hate him, for he is never moved to prophesy concerning me anything good, only evil, Micaiah, son of Imlah. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
2 Chronicles 24:20And, the spirit of God, clothed Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, and he took his stand above the people,—and said unto them, Thus, saith God, Wherefore are, ye, transgressing the commandments of Yahweh, so that ye cannot prosper, because ye have forsaken Yahweh, therefore hath he forsaken you.
Proverbs 19:1Better is a poor man, walking in his integrity, than one of perverse lips, and, he, a dullard.
Proverbs 28:15A growling lion, and a ranging bear, is a lawless ruler, over a poor people.
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 →