13 I have also seen this wisdom under the sun, and it was great to me: 14 There was a small city with few men. A mighty king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege ramps against it. 15 Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16 And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.” 17 The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
Ecclesiastes 9:13–18
Semantically similar passages
Ecclesiastes 7:18–20
18 It is good to grasp the one and not let the other slip from your hand. For he who fears God will follow both warnings. 19 Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city. 20 Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
Ecclesiastes 4:12–14
12 And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. 13 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning. 14 For the youth has come from the prison to the kin…
Ecclesiastes 2:12–14
12 Then I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what more can the king’s successor do than what has already been accomplished? 13 And I saw that wisdom exceeds folly, just as light exceeds darkness: 14 The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks…
Sirach 20:4–6
4 As is the lust of a eunuch to deflower a virgin, so is he who executes judgments with violence. (WEB) 5 There is one who keeps silent and is found wise; and there is one who is hated for his much talk. (WEB) 6 There is one who keeps silent, for he has no answer to make; And th… (WEB)
Proverbs 14:32–34
32 The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death. 33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known. 34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:23–25
23 Indeed, I won’t travel with consuming envy, because envy will have no fellowship with wisdom. (WEB) 24 But a multitude of wise men is salvation to the world, and an understanding king is stability for his people. (WEB) 25 Therefore be instructed by my words, and you will profit. (WEB)
Proverbs 24:6–8
6 Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors. 7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the meeting place. 8 He who plots evil will be called a schemer.
Proverbs 21:21–23
21 He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor. 22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. 23 He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
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