NET Bible
"So I concluded that wisdom is better than might, but a poor man’s wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice."
— Ecclesiastes 9:16, NET Bible
“Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.”
“Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. ”
“Then I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.”
“And I said that wisdom is better than strength: how then is the wisdom of the poor man slighted, and his words not heard?”
“Then I said, Wisdom is better than strength, but the poor man's wisdom is not respected, and his words are not given a hearing.”
“Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.”
Most People Are Not Receptive to Wise Counsel This is what I also observed about wisdom on earth, and it is a great burden to me:
There was once a small city with a few men in it, and a mighty king attacked it, besieging it and building strong siege works against it.
However, a poor but wise man lived in the city, and he could have delivered the city by his wisdom, but no one listened to that poor man.
So I concluded that wisdom is better than might, but a poor man’s wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice.
Wisdom versus Fools, Sin, and Folly The words of the wise are heard in quiet, more than the shouting of a ruler is heard among fools.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.