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.
Ecclesiastes 9:15–17
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.
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 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.
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 11:1–2
1 The wisdom of the lowly will lift up his head, and make him sit in the midst of great men. (WEB) 2 Don’t commend a man for his good looks. Don’t abhor a man for his outward appearance. (WEB)
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.…
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)
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