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 9:16–18
Semantically similar passages
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 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 7:4–6
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. 5 It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. 6 For like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool.…
Proverbs 10:13–15
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. 14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction. 15 The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
Ecclesiastes 10:11–13
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. 13 The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
Sirach 20:19–21
19 A man without grace is a tale out of season. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. (WEB) 20 A parable from a fool’s mouth will be rejected; for he won’t tell it at the proper time. (WEB) 21 There is one who is hindered from sinning through lack. When he rests, he… (WEB)
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 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.
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